Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

Adam sat on a rock at the edge of the lake, lazily dipping his feet in the cool water. It had been a few days since Michael first visited him, and ever since then, the angel had made sure to visit him in the garden everyday, and ensured that he took care of himself well enough. It was embarrassing for Adam, to be taken care of like that, but he was thankful for the company since he still didn’t wish to see Lilith and Lucifer. Even the thought of them still hurt him.

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Michael watched the first man nibble silently on the apple he had given him. He clearly didn’t have the appetite to eat despite how sickly he looked. He had hoped that some sunlight, fresh air and food would lighten up the first man. Clearly that wasn’t the case. It was also clear that Adam didn’t wish to tell him what caused this behaviour. 

And so, they just sat on the grass in silence. Not an easy silence, but it also wasn’t uncomfortable. It was a silence on mutual understanding. And really, Michael did understand Adam’s silence. Not because he knew why, but because he also preferred to keep some things close to himself. Although, if there were any hints of it being harmful in some way, then of course he would have to intervene. As of now, however, he would respect Adam’s wish for privacy.

“Unless it’s something harmful, you don’t have to tell me why you’re acting this way,” Michael started, turning to face Adam’s forlorn figure. “But you have to promise me that you’ll at least take care of yourself.”

Adam half heartedly nodded at the angel's words as he fiddled with his half eaten apple, having long given up on finishing it. He was relieved that the angel didn’t pry any further, but he didn’t have the energy to be happy about it. Or about anything at all. 

Seeing Adam’s response, Michael was convinced that the first man was, in fact, not going to start taking care of himself. He sighed, a little exasperated. Not at Adam, but at his brother, Lucifer. Seriously, what did he do this time? Michael already had so much work to do in Heaven. But then… Lucifer almost never directly asks for help, often trying to fix the problem before anyone ever finds out. Not that it stopped Michael from having to help him out a few times. He was sure he could squeeze some time for this in his already busy schedule. Besides, like Lucifer said, he was already patrolling the garden anyway.

“I’ve decided. I will be visiting everyday until you are well,” Michael declared.

This time, Adam looked up to face Michael. And what he saw were determined blue eyes, that were steadfast in their sincerity. Adam gave a slight smile. He hoped that this wasn’t a lie. 

“Alright. I’ll be waiting then.”

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And so, Adam was waiting for Michael’s visit today just as he did yesterday and the day before and so on. The lake had become their daily meeting spot. Adam had chosen the place early on so that the angel didn’t have to look all over the garden for him.

While he waited, Adam played with the water with his feet. Splashing around and at nearby fish, who in turn swam away only to come back again. It felt refreshing. The way that the water that clung to his tanned skin felt cool, and the midday sun warmed up his skin with its light. The birds were singing along with soft rustling of leaves, flowers swaying to Eden’s tune. Echoes of the past ring within his ears. Three sets of laughter in the lake. Loud splashing sounds and squeals of joy. The pitter patter of water droplets as heavy footsteps dragged themselves onto the grass. Back when all three of them still played together. Adam had dragged Lucifer into the water, soaking him from head to toe, his robes drenched and his hat floating away from him. Lilith, though she rarely did, had also joined Adam in his shenanigans, splashing more water onto the surprised angel. It was the three of them on a refreshing day, playing in the water. Now, it was just him and the fish. One particularly curious fish swam close to his legs and stayed there. Its beady eyes focused on Adam as it attempted to splash water back at him.

Adam smiled, “Oh, if only you could talk…”

Droplets fell onto his lap. Despite it all, he missed them, and yet, he couldn’t allow them to be near him. Not right now anyway. He missed the times when they all spent time together, whether it was playing around, singing and playing songs or just talking about the new things they had found in the garden. He missed the days when he lived simply, unburdened by these unpleasant thoughts and feelings. 

A slimy feeling on his leg brought Adam out of his thoughts. The fish snuggled up against his leg, eyes looking up at him. At least the animals were always there for him. Adam dipped his hand onto the water, petting the curious fish. 

“Sorry I didn’t visit for a while.”

Michael arrived by the lake, just a few feet away from the first man. It had been a few days since he had begun visiting Adam, and while the human was still despondent, he was at least getting better, even just a little. The sight in front of him confirmed that. Yes, he still had that sad look on his face, but he started playing with the animals again. That was a good sign.

Michael walked silently towards the first man, not wishing to burst the bubble of peace that Adam had made for himself. A small smile crept onto his face once he got close enough to see that Adam was talking to and playing with a particularly curious fish. A soft innocence radiating off of him as he spoke to the fish in an affectionate manner. 

Unfortunately, Michael had to announce his presence. “Hello Adam.”

At the sound of his voice, the fish quickly swam away back into the deeper part of the lake and Adam brought his hands out of the water, turning to face Michael. The little moment was broken. 

“Oh, hi Michael. You’re finally here,” Adam gave a small wave, a soft smile on his face. While he wasn’t particularly close with the angel, and Michael wasn’t as playful as Lucifer, he appreciated the fact that the angel kept his promise of visiting him everyday even if it was just to make sure he took care of himself. Besides, this angel was so different from Lucifer that his innate curiosity couldn’t help but poke its head out. He thought most angels would be like, or at least similar to, Lucifer. Friendly, playful and prone to do tricks. While Michael did look similar to Lucifer, their personalities were quite different. Michael wasn’t particularly talkative or playful and he hadn’t played a trick on Adam yet. That didn’t mean he wasn’t nice though. He was just as nice as Lucifer (and hopefully even nicer). It was just a different kind of niceness. In a more reserved and subtle way. But he could feel it. He could feel it in the way he helped Adam find and pick out food that he could tolerate to eat, or when he would say soothing words that uplifted Adam’s spirits, or when he would answer Adam’s questions earnestly as he told him stories about Heaven from his perspective. Michael was a very kind angel, despite Adam’s initial reluctance of his company. 

“How are you today?,” Michael stepped a little closer to Adam, “doing a bit better?”

Adam nodded. He was doing better, even just a bit, thanks to the angel's insistence. 

“Did you eat this morning?”

Adam nodded again.

“How about at noon?”

“Um…” 

Seeing Adam’s reluctance to answer, Michael gave the first man a scolding look. Not a harsh one, but more akin to an parent who caught their child red handed. A little disappointed, but not angry. 

“Ah. Nono,” Adam waved his hands in slight panic, trying to clear the misunderstanding. “Actually, I was waiting for you to join me.” He picked up something from behind the rock, where Michael couldn't clearly see. “I found this interesting fruit, I thought you night want to try.” 

Adam proudly presented a pineapple to the angel. It wasn't an easy fruit to get, its skin being firm and rough to the touch, and he needed something sharp to cut off its stem. With enough effort though, he managed to get one to share with Michael. 

It was a curious looking plant, Michael had to admit. Relatively large and heavy. Its skin appeared to be tough. Its leaves waxy and prickly. Was it even edible? If he didn't know any better, he'd say it was some sort of weapon. An odd organic weapon. Definitely a curious looking fruit, and at the moment, he was a curious angel. 

There was no need for angel's to eat, but there was also no harm in eating. So, Michael thought he might as well indulge Adam, if that would make him happier. Plus, he did want to try the fruit. It was a double win situation. 

“Well, if you don't mind me joining you…” 

Adam noticeably brightened up at Michael's response. He always liked to share and try new things with someone. Adam scooched over and eagerly patted the space beside him, urging the angel to sit beside him. And so, Michael did, though he had to be careful not to accidentally push the human into the water with his wings. The bulk of six wings suddenly became rather inconvenient. 

Using a sharpened rock, Adam began slicing off the pineapple's tough skin, revealing the juicy yellow fruit inside. Then, he began cutting the yellow part into smaller bite size pieces. Once done, he placed the cut fruit pieces onto a cleaned banana leaf he had prepared earlier, before presenting the prepared fruit to Michael, clearly pleased with himself and his skills. 

“Here, here, have some!” Adam stared wide-eyed at Michael, anticipating for him to have the first bite. 

And so, Michael did. He grabbed a piece between his fingers before popping them into his mouth. It was soft, with some crunch to it, and very juicy. The juice from the slice burst across his tongue, leaving a sweet flavour and an odd tingling sensation. It was unlike anything he had before. Without thinking, his hand reached out for another piece. 

“So, do you like it?,” Adam asked before grabbing a piece himself. He liked sharing meals with others, and was secretly hoping that if Michael liked it enough, then he would join for more in the future. It was his way avoiding loneliness and some sort of return to how he used to spend time in the garden. Luckily for Adam, the angel seemed to like it, grabbing a piece one after the other. Clearly enjoying the refreshing sweetness of the fruit. 

Michael nodded, pleasantly surprised by the sweet flavour of the fruit. Coupled with warm sunny’s rays and the cool breeze that danced across the lake. The gentle swaying of leaves, the peaceful songs of critters living their lives. Michael had never fully appreciated the garden. He visited the garden, did his routine patrols, and then left, never spending any more time than necessary. Sure, he saw the beauty in it, but he only truly realised why it was called paradise. It was perfection unlike Heaven. Where Heaven was pristine, organised and radiant in its beauty, Eden was akin to freeing wildness, a warm and organic perfection. What he initially thought of as another favour for Lucifer had turned out to be one of the more delightful things he got to do as of today. 

Adam watched the angel enjoy the pineapple, one hand resting on his cheek. It was a little shocking for the first man. To see the normally cool and reserved angel obviously delighted with newfound sensations. It reminded him of when he used to find new things together with Lilith and Lucifer. He could go find them now, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to see their faces yet. That, and it had become obvious to him now that they preferred to be together without Adam, if them missing or being too busy to spend time with him were any indication. Besides, Michael was good company. He just hoped he would stay.

Chapter Text

The tall grass swayed gently along the passing warm passing breeze, dancing like soft waves in a golden sea. The morning sun was still climbing up the clear skies, gradually brightening and warming up the garden. Adam was draped over a lion, both lazing about under the late morning sun, and both exhausted after a bout of rough housing. His limbs hang limply over the animal, his breathing was a little erratic, and there was a thin layer of sweat covering his body, giving it a subtle shine. Recently, Adam had been finding it difficult to have energy for himself, but lately, it seemed that Michael’s visits had been slowly but surely helping him find that energy back. Today, he woke up feeling better than he had been in a long time, with a similar vigour that he once used to have, and with a few more hours before his shared lunch with Michael, Adam decided to wander back to places he had neglected since the Lucifer and Lilith thing. The savannah, as he had named it, was one of his favourite places to spend time in. From the long golden grass fields to oddly shaped plants with rarely blooming flowers, it was a place that used to always pique his interest. That, and also because it housed his favourite animal, the lion. Always looking so majestic and refined, but really, they were just as friendly and playful as the other inhabitants of the garden. Adam especially loved playing with them, their fur blending in with the tall grass made games with them much more challenging and fun. 

Regaining some strength back in his limbs, Adam petted the lion, its soft fur easily giving way between his fingers. “I missed you,” he muttered as he snuggled into its fur. 

The lion carefully tilted on its side before swiping the first man off its back, who let out a small yelp, and onto the ground beside it. It then began to eagerly rub its head onto Adam’s, almost drowning the first man with its affection. 

“I see you missed me too,” Adam laughed while trying to hold back the onslaught of nuzzles with both hands.

“Adam.”

The voice sounded so familiar, yet something he hadn’t heard of in a while. Still lying on the ground, Adam turned his head to look up at the source of the voice. Ah. No wonder he hadn’t heard this voice in a while despite its familiarity, he had been avoiding the owner of the voice. Adam remained frozen on the ground as he stared wide eyed at Lucifer’s anxious figure standing in front of him. 

Lucifer played with his fingers as his eyes wandered back and forth between Adam and the ground. Guilt had been eating away at him this past few weeks, and while he knew his brother was looking after Adam, he still worried for his best friend. That, and his absence had made him realise just how much he enjoyed his company. “I…would you be willing to–”

“No.” Snapping out of his daze, Adam scurried behind the lion. “...sorry.”

That caused the tightness in his chest to become more painful. Lucifer had some disagreements with the first man before, but never this bad. He had never been rejected for as long as this. And he knew he deserved it, for having hurt his friend this badly, for having betrayed his trust. But he also wanted Lilith’s love. He may have gone about it the wrong way, but he didn’t regret pursuing the first woman. Her love had completed him before he even realised he was missing a piece. Although, the aftermath had left him shattered. Lucifer looked towards the lion, where Adam had hidden his form. 

“I’m really really sorry for hurting you Adam,” Lucifer pleaded. “If there’s anything I could do to make it up to you. Anything!” He tried to take a step forward, wanting to be closer and to see his friend, but the growl and the intense glare of the lion held him back. 

No response. 

Lucifer felt tears well up in his eyes, “I really messed up this time, huh?” . He wasn’t about to give up though. Adam was still here, he hadn’t run away yet, so he still had a chance. A chance to mend their relationship. 

Just as he was about to say something, a hand grabbed at his shoulder, pulling him slightly away from Adam. Lucifer turned to check on the offender and was greeted by the face of his brother.

“Lucifer, I don’t think Adam wants to see you right now,” Michael stated as a matter-of-factly. The first man had been doing well lately, he wasn’t going to allow Lucifer to undo that progress. And while he still didn’t know what happened, it was obvious that the angel of creation was involved. Michael gave Lucifer a slight nod before heading towards Adam, the lion’s defensive posture easing a bit for Michael.

“There you are,” Michael said, a gentle smile on his lips, as he rounded behind the lion. “I was looking for you. I thought we were having lunch together?”

Lucifer stood baffled. Was his brother, the leader of the heavenly host Michael, smiling? And that softly too? Also, since when did they eat lunch together? As far as he knew, Michael didn’t even bother with Eden’s inhabitants, much less try its fruits. But what really baffled him, and made him burn up in jealousy, was when he saw a glimpse of Adam sit up from behind the lion as he desperately clung to Michael’s kneeling form beside him as he whispered comforting words to him. How the first man seemed relieved and genuinely happy to see the angel. It used to be him in that spot. It used to be him that the first man clung to and had shared lunches with. It used to be him, always. But now it seemed that he got replaced. 

Michael turned towards Lucifer’s gloomy form, clearing his throat so as to catch his attention and drag him out of whatever thoughts plagued his mind, “We’ll be going then.” He spread out his wings, all six beautifully blue and white as wide as the cloudy sky. He held out his hand to the first man, “Let’s go.”

“You’re taking me flying?!,” gasped Adam as he bounced on his feet, his mood quickly brightening up. 

“Only if you want to.”

“I would love to!” Adam quickly took the offered hand as he allowed Michael to hold him close. 

“Hold on tight.” And Adam did, wrapping himself around the angel. Before taking off, Michael gave Lucifer a final look, “See you then.” Lucifer gave a small wave in return, his lips in a bitter smile. Then, Michael took Adam to the skies, and Lucifer was left alone in the grassfield. 

Lucifer watched their figures fly away from him, getting smaller every second. In each of those seconds, his friend was getting further away from him, slowly being dragged away from his reach. He laughed bitterly, “I guess I got a taste of my own medicine, huh.”

Adam closed his eyes when he felt the ground leaving his feet and the wind crashing on him. Despite having flown before, with Lucifer, some fear still lingered from being up so high, but the rush and the joy of being so high up overruled his fear of heights as usual. When he opened his eyes again, he was greeted with sights he had never seen before. They were so high up! Lucifer had never flown him this high before, so high up in the clouds. Out of instinct, Adam clung even tighter onto Michael. 

Having noticed his tense grip, Michael slowed his flying as he patted Adam’s head. “Are you scared? Do you want to go back down?”

Adam shook his head, “No. It’s just that,” he turned to look around, one hand reaching out to touch a nearby cloud. “I’ve never been so high up before.” His eyes glistened with wonder. He rubbed his fingertips, slightly wet from touching the cloud before he reached out again to grab a handful of it. The cool, barely there wetness of the water vapours in the cloud felt nice on his skin. How the clouds seemed solid until he made contact with it, quickly dissipating as tiny droplets on top of his skin. And the sights! Everything looked so small from where he was. Rivers and forests seemingly smaller than the palm of his hand. There weren’t even any flying birds from where they were. It was like they had found a little spot in Eden no one knew of. Almost like a secret hideout. 

Michael looked down on the human he held within his arms. It seemed that Adam was regaining his vigour back, the one he had heard about before his visits. His eyes shone brightly like twin pairs of suns, only it was somehow even brighter, as he took in all the new sights around him. And he had never seen the first man smile so widely before. It was always bitter smiles or small smiles that never seemed to be fully happy. But this smile. It looked so genuine and carefree, unburdened by lingering unpleasant thoughts. This look suited him much better. 

“Michael,” Adam looked the angel in the eye. “Thank you for picking me up. Really,” he said as he hugged the angel tightly, truly grateful for his presence.

Astounded, Michael remained still and silent for a moment, the flapping of his wings the only sound in the vast sky. How should he react to this? He didn’t understand how this lanky, fragile human could bare himself open like this. To expose this kind of vulnerable affection. He wanted to correct him, tell him not to lay his weaknesses to predators so openly like that. But he didn’t. Just like the space they were currently in, this moment felt private. A show of trust. And Michael wasn’t one to break people’s trust. So, with awkward unsure hands, he carefully wrapped both hands over Adam, returning his hug. 

Eventually, Michael flew them back down towards the lake where they usually met up. It was already past noon, and it was about time for Michael to return and assume his duties up in Heaven, but seeing Adam’s disappointed look when Michael was about to leave made the angel change his mind. He could stay a while longer. He kept up with his work, so a little tardiness shouldn’t necessarily cause much backlog.

“So, what’s today’s lunch?,” he asked.

At that question, Adam quickly looked up from the ground. Downcast eyes noticeably getting brighter as a smile returned to his face. “Oh, well, I was going to…” Adam paused, then let out a gasp before sighing disappointedly. “I…I left them back in the savannah…”

“What does it look like?”

“They’re mangoes, but they’re much smaller and green and–,” Adam quickly stopped himself from saying more. It was supposed to be a surprise (or more like a prank).

“And..?,” Michael inquired, now curious.

“I can’t say more. It’ll ruin the surprise,” replied Adam, a little mischievous lilt in his voice. 

Michael cocked an eyebrow at that, “Really?”

Adam nodded, not willing to say more.

“Alright then, lead the way,” Michael clapped his hands decidedly.

“Huh?”

“Let’s go get our lunch together. Aren’t you hungry?”

A smile formed on Adam’s lips. He couldn’t help it, today was just a happy day it seemed. “Alright! Follow me then,” he said as he waved his hand, gesturing to the angel to follow behind. He couldn’t wait for Michael to try the green mango. 

Adam sat on the ground with his legs crossed, body leaning forward towards Michael eagerly waiting for him to take a bite. Michael sat across from him, now a little sceptical about eating the fruit on his hands. Adam was always eager to share things about the garden, but he had never been this eager. Plus, he had that look in his eyes that didn’t look so innocent. 

“Aren’t you eating first?,” Michael asked.

“Nono, you go ahead!,” Adam grinned. 

That spelt bad news. Michael turned the fruit in his hands, it felt nice and firm, just like many of the garden’s fruits. He brought it closer to his face. It didn’t smell particularly odd, and it looked just like a mango, except smaller and slightly green. Oh well. It was a fruit grown in Eden, what could go wrong? He bit into the fruit’s crunchy flesh expecting a similar juiciness and sweetness from a regular mango, but was instead met with a dry and shocking taste of extreme sourness. Michael pulled the fruit away from his mouth, still surprised at the invasive flavour that invaded his taste buds. The sound of suppressed laughter brought him out of his stupor. 

Adam could feel tears form in his eyes as he tried to hold back his laughter. Michael’s scrunched up face was just too funny to see, and then his bewildered look after like he didn’t understand what he just bit into was the cherry on top. 

“Haha, you should’ve seen your face!,” Adam laughed, unable to hold it back anymore. “I think that was the funniest face I’ve ever seen.”

A yellow tint covered most of Michael's quickly heating up face. To think that he had been fooled and then made fun of by this silly human. Normally pranks didn’t affect him, or at most they annoyed him slightly, but a smile somehow managed to creep up on his face. He supposed it was a little funny, though Adam might have to be more careful from now on.

Chapter Text

It was yet another perfect day in Eden. Bright blue skies spotted with fluffy white clouds, midday rays warming up the inhabitants of the garden. Michael sat on a rock by the lake basking in the sun’s relaxing warmth, his lunch for today in a small woven basket beside him. The basket was filled with mangoes. Yellow mangoes. The soft, sweet and juicy kind, not those sour green ones Adam had given him before. Ever since Adam’s little trick on him, Michael had become more careful and observant of the fruits Adam offered him. He actually found it quite interesting to learn about the plants in the garden. To think that there were multiple variations of the same fruit, each differing in texture, smell and flavour. How despite their similarities, some require widely different conditions in order to grow and flourish. He was starting to see why Lucifer was always eager to explore the garden. 

Michael bit into the ripe mango he was holding, its sweet juices a pleasant wash on his taste buds. The food in Eden was good and unique in its own ways, the environment had this atmosphere that seemed to always drain stress and fatigue away, and the animals were all so beautiful and playful. Those things made Eden a place worth visiting, but… Michael looked on towards the lake, loud splashes and carefree laughter could be heard not too far from him. Somehow, Adam had managed to drag a lion in the lake to play with him and the fishes. Michael let out a small chuckle at the absurdity of the scene in front of him. The first man’s sunny and adventurous disposition, including his mischievous antics, had certainly caused the angel to become quite fond of him. The garden itself was definitely something worth visiting, but Adam kept him coming back. 

Heavy wet fur dragged itself across the lake towards the rock Michael was on. He could hear Adam’s whines begging the feline to stay longer in the water with him as he clung onto it, his weight of no effect to the large, clearly fed up, animal. Michael scooched away from the approaching pair, careful not to wet his robes, as they approached the rock. The lion dropped Adam onto the rock before it dragged itself towards the grass to shake the water off its coat. For all his whining and begging the lion to stay in the water, Adam himself looked exhausted as he remained prone on his spot, limp and barely moving. Michael poked his head with a mango and Adam turned his head to face the angel.

“Peel it for me?,” Adam asked using his, as he called it, ‘puppy dog eyes’.

How bold. The first man had been becoming more and more brazen towards him these past few days, though Michael hadn’t put much effort to prevent it. He couldn’t help it, he had come to care for this fragile human. And so, he peeled the mango before handing it over to Adam, who simply opened his mouth as he continued lying on the rock. 

Michael paused, pulling the fruit away. “Adam, you’re not a baby.”

“But I’m tiiiired,” whined Adam. “I can’t move my limbs.”

Michael simply looked at him with an unsmiling, blank face before slowly moving the mango towards his mouth ready to take a bite.

“Ah noo!,” Adam suddenly got up from his spot, one hand reaching out for the mango.

“See?,” Michael said as he stopped himself from eating the fruit and placed it on Adam's hand. “You’re not that tired.”

Adam took the fruit placed in his hands a small pout on his lips. “How merciless,” he huffed. 

“Yes yes, I’m Michael the merciless warrior of God,” Michael smiled. 

The smile on his face quickly faded though, once a thought crossed his mind. Back up in Heaven, he remembered overhearing some angels’ talk about their concerns about Adam and Lilith’s progress. How they had waited so long, and yet, they had nothing to show for it. 

“How long has it been?,” one angel asked.

“Too long as far as I know,” another answered. 

“I think I heard they don’t even get along well.”

“At this point, we might as well consider it a failure.”

Michael frowned. There was no way someone like Adam was a failure. True, his relationship with Lilith was rocky at best, and he had been having some difficulties, but Michael was sure it was something that could be mended in due time. In fact, Adam was already doing way better than when he first took the duty to care for him. Still, he supposed it wouldn’t hurt to give the first man a little push. Just to ease the concerns up in Heaven. 

Michael cleared his throat, requesting Adam’s attention. “Adam, I know I said I wouldn’t force you to tell me anything but,” he inched a little closer to the human. “Heaven is a little concerned about humanity’s progress.”

The way Adam shifted and looked away from him told him that the man still wasn’t willing to tell him anything. What could it be that he was so adamant to keep quiet about?

“If you divulge to me what caused your rift with Lilith, then I might be able to help,” he continued. “Only if you wish of course.”

After a few moments of silence, Adam finally turned to face him, but still not looking into his eyes. Instead he focused on the mango on his hand, fiddling with it. He took a peek at Michael, who tried to make himself look as benign as possible. The angel had been nothing but kind to him, and so far had kept his words, evident by his continued visits and lack of other angels prying into his business. With a deep sigh, he finally spoke, “You have to promise not to tell anyone.”

“I promise,” Michael quickly answered.

Adam turned his whole body to face the angel fully, his golden eyes hardened with seriousness. “Not like that. You have to truly promise! Swear that you won’t tell anyone else!”

Had Michael been negligent? Was it actually more serious than he initially thought? Now he was unsure if he had handled the situation properly. He knew he shouldn’t agree to Adam’s terms. If it was something important, then Heaven had to be informed. It was just the way things were.

Sensing his reluctance, Adam sat back down away from Michael, a frown on his face. “Otherwise, I won’t tell you anything.”

Well, he couldn’t have that. But to keep some things hidden from Heaven didn’t sit well with him. It almost felt like going behind their back in some way. He leaned back a bit, a hand on his chin, blue eyes in an ocean of thoughts. If he thought carefully about it… He was part of Heaven, one of its highest ranking angels, in fact. So if Adam talked to him about it, it would just be like telling Heaven about it. He was also involved in this Eden project, he had authority, the only difference would be that not everyone would know. And they didn’t have to. Yeah, that still sounded wrong to the upright angel. But, if he could solve it, then the others wouldn’t even need to know. Michael nodded to himself, trying very hard to convince himself to agree to Adam’s terms. 

Having convinced himself, Michael focused back on Adam. He hoped he wouldn’t regret this decision. With a hand over his chest, he finally responded, “Alright. I swear as an angel that I won’t reveal to anyone else what you are about to tell me.”

Adam let out a sigh of relief, his body visibly relaxing as he let his previous unease drain away. He was glad that Michael was willing to compromise for him. With a deep breath, he finally revealed what he had been holding back, “Lilith and Lucifer are…together.”

…

“What?” 

Did Michael hear him wrong? Did he just hear Adam say that his brother was with the first woman?

Adam shifted awkwardly on his seat. “They admitted it to me,” he continued with a bit of difficulty. His voice trembled a little, after having spent time away from them, he thought he would find it easier to digest, but apparently not. He had come to terms with it in his mind, but talking about it out loud was a different ordeal. His throat felt dry and it was as if there was a lump in his throat. Still, he managed to continue, “That’s why I couldn’t bear to be with them anymore.”

To say that he was shocked would be an understatement. Michael appalled. His very own brother, the one who was supposed to be the main caretaker of the garden and its inhabitants, the one who was supposed to guide the first humans, was also the one to have brought ruin to their relationship. This was not something to be taken lightly. Lucifer had committed a transgression towards Heaven. 

“Adam, this can’t continue. They cannot get away with infidelity. They must face the consequences,” Michael told Adam as he got ready to confront both Lucifer and Lilith. 

“No!,” Adam exclaimed. His hands were immediately on the angel’s shoulders urging him to back down. “You promised!”

“I promised not to tell anyone, but I can still give out their punishment myself,” Michael stated. 

“Michael, please.” Adam looked at him with desperate sad eyes that looked about to burst. “They’ve hurt me, I know, but I still care for them,” he paused, taking one of Michael’s hands into his, grasping it firmly as he begged for both Lucifer and Lilith’s well being. “I don’t wish harm on them.”

Michael looked down on the tanned hands that desperately grasped onto his. Now what? With Lucifer in the picture, humanity couldn’t really progress from here. He could just ignore Adam’s pleading and punish both Lucifer and Lilith, maybe even salvage the project in the process. But he couldn’t just do that, could he? Adam’s hands still held Michael’s, still trying to stop the mighty angel, knowing fully well that he couldn’t do anything if Michael decided to go anyway. How could his heart ache for those who have betrayed him like that? Where did he find the space in his heart to still worry for them? Again, this was something Michael would like to correct Adam about. It was great to be kind as one should be, but that didn’t mean you should allow others to escape the consequences of their misdeeds. Adam was kind, too kind to the point that it was blinding him. But then it seemed that Michael himself was also too kind to Adam, and was willing to be blind this time. 

He didn’t know what to do, but perhaps all of Heaven would soon notice the obvious lack of progress in Eden and come up with a solution themselves. He supposed he could just…wait it out. 

Michael took a deep breath in, and then a deep breath out. He really truly didn’t want to do this but…he had been blinded. 

“Do you know how long they had been going behind your back?,” Michael asked.

Adam looked up from where he still held the angel’s hand, a little confused by the sudden change. “Um…f-for about half a year.”

Michael winced. How cruel. To do that to someone so innocent. “Once I see Lucifer again…” Michael thought to himself. While he would spare Lucifer punishment, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t confront him about what he did. He was being too kind already.

“Well, since I already know, do you want to talk about it?”

“Um.”

“Just what you’re willing to share.”

Adam nodded at that. And so, he spilled his heart out to Michael. How he was trying so hard to fix his relationship with Lilith and how Lucifer seemed willing to help, only for the two of them to reveal their betrayal the following day. How he felt that all those moments he spent with them in those six months they were going behind his back felt like a lie. How his friendship with Lucifer didn’t feel real anymore. 

“Sometimes, I wonder, was I the problem?,” Adam sniffled. “Was something wrong with me? Lilith never seemed to truly like me, while even someone as nice as Lucifer still deceived me.” He was told on the day he was made that he was God’s most perfect creation, but sometimes he didn’t think it was true. 

Michael stretched out his wings and covered Adam with them, pushing the first man towards him in a comforting hug. The coolness of his wings were a solace to Adam’s pain like a protective shield against any further heartache. It was difficult for Michael to comfort someone, he wasn’t exactly the best when it came to these kinds of situations. Oftentimes, he wasn’t sure what to do and simply asked others to help him out or to do it in his stead. But Adam had no one else to seek comfort from except Michael, so despite being unsure of what to do, he would try his best anyway. 

“How could there be something wrong with you?,” he said as he gazed sincerely into Adam’s beautiful golden eyes. “You have done nothing but followed God’s commands. You remain pure and perfect, still God’s most perfect creation, alright?”

Adam didn’t know what it was. Whether it was the soft embrace of Michael’s wings around him or the way streaks of sunlight peeked through the feathers, shining speckles of golden light on the angel’s handsome face under the darkness of their cover. But for a brief moment, he could feel his own heart beating erratically as it pumped blood towards his face, warming it up. Adam quickly turned away, his cheeks flushed pink. Why was he nervous so suddenly? 

With his face still turned away, Adam nodded, “A-alright, thank you.” He turned his face slightly to glimpse at Michael. With an earnest smile on his lips, he continued, “Really. Thank you for listening to me. It’s like you’ve lifted a heavy burden off my shoulders.”

“I’m glad to help, and I’ll always be glad to help.” Seeing Adam so relieved and happy like this filled Michael with contentment. He supposed it was worth postponing Lucifer and Lilith’s punishment if it resulted in easing Adam’s burdens.

Chapter Text

A sweet melody resounded between the foliage of the forest, the soft bubbling of the river water as it moved over rocks and pebbles a soothing complement to the pleasant tune. Adam sat by the river side busying himself with pigments and sea shells and beautiful stones of varying shapes and colours. Just a couple of days ago, Michael had gifted him a lyre, and even taught him how to use it after he heard the first man sing along with the birds. The archangel told him that he seemed to have a talent for music and offered to teach him new ways to enhance his singing voice. Adam was, of course, more than happy to accept. He loved the lyre that the angel gifted to him. It produced sounds so melodious, so heavenly he could feel his heart be filled and enraptured by its beautiful melody. It was quite similar to how Michael’s presence made him feel sometimes… Regardless, he wanted to show his appreciation by creating a small gift for the archangel. It wasn’t anything particularly grand or as fine as the lyre, but he hoped his thoughts and efforts would shine through his work and Michael would like it enough to accept it.

The sound of a set of soft footsteps leisurely moving towards him burst his little tranquil bubble and disrupted his flow of work as he quickly tried to stuff his tools and supplies into a handmade pouch made of leaves. Is Michael here already?! But it’s still so early!  

Adam was still hurriedly packing his things away when the set of footsteps finally arrived beside him. He quickly pulled his little bag close to his body before turning to the person beside him. “Michael! You’re a bit–”

The words instantly died in his throat when he was greeted with long flowing blonde hair instead of shorter wavy ones, and sharp amethyst eyes instead of deep blue ones. 

“Hello Adam, may I sit here?”

Adam turned away, his cheery mood instantly dampened by Lilith’s presence. “Why bother asking? It’s not like you ever listen.”

“Hmm, you’re right,” Lilith replied as she took her seat beside Adam.

The two sat in uncomfortable silence. Well, uncomfortable only for Adam as Lilith seemed to be leisurely enjoying the serene sounds that echoed around the river bank. Her eyes were closed as she soaked up the early morning sun that filtered through the foliage. Her posture was so relaxed and nonchalant as if this was something she did on a regular basis. 

“Your singing was quite lovely. I didn’t know you sang so well.”

“That’s because you were never there to hear it,” Adam answered, his whole still turned away from Lilith. 

Lilith simply hummed in response, her eyes still closed, still relaxing under the sun. 

Adam sighed, a little annoyed at Lilith’s nonchalance. “Why are you here, Lilith?”

At that Lilith finally opened her eyes as she turned to face Adam, body slightly leaning towards him. “Are you ready to talk?”

“No.”

“Then why are you still here?” Lilith leaned back, her sharp eyes trained on Adam’s closed off figure. “You’re free to go. I won’t stop you.”

She was right. Adam was free to go, and he almost did go. To just leave Lilith hanging there without another word would ease the sore spot still inside him, but by just a tiny bit. But it wouldn’t really change or solve anything. He supposed it was time for him to stop running away. He couldn’t avoid her forever, they shared the same home after all, eventually they would run into each other. If he were to share a space with her, he thought he might as well make it bearable for both of them. Still, that didn’t mean he had to like her. 

Adam turned to face Lilith, this time with more vigour. “Why should I leave? I got here first.”

A smirk formed on Lilith’s lips, a smug look in her eyes. “There you are. Welcome back.” She supposed it was about time. She had hoped that Adam would be more receptive to her after having given him the time and space she thought he needed. And it seemed that she was right after all. Though her darling husband Lucifer almost did ruin her chances by being a little too obtrusive with his expressions of regret. 

Seeing Lilith’s self satisfied expression only deepened the frown on Adam’s face. Was she just playing with him again? Was this some sort of test to see if she still held some control over his feelings? Well, he learned his lesson with her, and he wasn’t about to play her game. 

Just as Adam was about to get up and leave, Lilith held out her hand, urging him to remain seated. “Please stay. I do really want to talk.”

And so, Adam begrudgingly did stay, though he didn’t talk. What was there for him to say to her? He was pretty sure he had expressed his thoughts and feelings towards both her and Lucifer well enough.

“How have you been lately?,” Lilith asked.

Adam let out a bitter laugh. Really? Was she really asking him this? “Both you and Lucifer have hurt me in such ways I didn’t even think was possible until now.”

Lilith winced at that. She really did go too far this time. With a deep breath, she replied, “I’ve thought about some things. With the time between us. Letting how my actions have affected you sink in.” A pause. And then she looked Adam straight in the eyes with a look that had never been so sincere. “Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t regret choosing Lucifer and I don’t think I ever will. But we shouldn’t have gone behind your back like that.”

“But you did.”

“I know. And I do regret that. We just couldn’t trust you not to tell the angels about us, but now I know we were wrong.” Never in her existence thus far had Lilith ever feel such regret and remorse. Being proclaimed perfect by the angels ever since she first took her breath and reinforced by Lucifer’s constant praises, Lilith never had to question herself. She was after all flawless, how could she ever make a mistake? But she supposed if two perfect beings could clash, then one of them was bound to be in the wrong. Though it took a lot out of Lilith, this time, she had no choice but to admit her faults. 

Adam remained seated on his spot as he took in her words. It was satisfying. To hear the proud Lilith be remorseful and for once admit her mistakes. But still…

“Did you truly believe that I would want harm to come to you? Lilith, I’ve done nothing but try to be a good husband to you. Did you really think that low of me?”

“You were always the obedient one…”

The two sat in silence. Well, at least now they knew partly why they didn’t work out as husband and wife. Though it was a little too late for that revelation. 

Suddenly, Lilith got this look in her eyes. Her amethyst eyes sparkled with a certain kind of resolve as a thought came to her. “Adam, I would like to start over again. Not as husband and wife heaven forced us to be, but as potential friends. This time, I would try to get to know you. The real you.” Lilith moved forward, closer to Adam. “And no more lying! What do you say?”

Adam was so taken aback by Lilith’s proposal he didn’t know what to say. It just felt like too many things were happening at once at such a fast pace. She came out of nowhere, convinced him to listen, admitted her faults and now she wanted to start over. And while it did sound nice to be able to go back to how things initially were, this time without the lying, he needed things to be at a slower pace. And so, he gently pushed the too close Lilith by her shoulder away from him.

“I’d like to start over too. But that doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you already.”

Lilith blinked slowly as she allowed Adam to push her away from him. She supposed she was too eager. Regaining her composure, Lilith leaned back and re-assumed her leisured posture. 

“Of course not. I’m actually surprised you even listened to me. I know I wouldn’t have.” Lilith paused, a hand stroking her chin. “I think I would’ve even been violent.”

Adam moved back a bit at Lilith’s admission; a small shiver ran down his spine. Was this the woman who was supposed to be his wife? The one the angels told him to love and be gentle with? How scary. 

Lilith held out her hand towards Adam. “To new beginnings?”

Adam accepted her hand, a new hope blooming in his chest. “To new beginnings.”

Michael had a few hours before his daily visit to Eden. He had been so swamped with work as of late, and trying to balance that with spending time with Adam in Eden had left him no time to find Lucifer. This time, however, after doing some extra work last night, he finally had some time to spare. Now all he had to do was find Lucifer. Though it was proving to be a bit difficult. In fact, he hadn’t seen much of his brother in the last few days. He was either too busy or just couldn’t be found anywhere. It was almost like Lucifer was making himself scarce in his presence. 

A familiar laughter in a crowd of voices caught his attention. Found him.  

The friendly angel was, as usual, surrounded by younger angels as they listened to his wild ideas and unique stories with wide fascinated eyes. This time, it seemed that he was telling them about the chimera. A three headed beast that consisted of a lion’s head, a goat’s head on its back, and a serpent for a tail. And it also breathed fire. The dangerous creature was let out to roam the earth outside of Eden along with many of Lucifer’s pet projects deemed too unstable for the garden. 

“There you are,” Michael said as he approached the group. “I’ve been looking for you.” He placed a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder, just in case he tried to slip away again. 

Lucifer stiffened at Michael’s sudden greeting. A little anxiously, he looked up to his taller brother, an awkward smile on his face. “Oh, hi Michael. I thought you were busy today?”

“I just so happened to find some time.” Michael glanced at the young angels that surrounded Lucifer. All of them looked a little unnerved by Michael’s presence. “Sorry, but can I talk with my brother privately?”

The young angels gave each other a look before turning back to both brothers. And despite Lucifer’s silent plea for them not to leave, they all timidly gave their farewells and see you laters to the creative angel. 

“You scared them away.” Lucifer visibly deflated. He loved the newly made angels. They were always more open-minded towards his ideas than those who had stayed in Heaven for a while now; influenced by Heaven’s rigid order and beliefs. “So? What did you want to talk about?”

“Not here. Let’s go back to my place,” Michael answered.

Suddenly, Lucifer got a bad feeling about this ‘talk’.

And his bad feeling seemed to be well founded. As soon as they arrived at Michael’s place, the taller angel quickly locked the door, closed the windows and pulled down the curtains as he made sure there were no other angels in the vicinity that could hear them.

“Okayyy. You’re worrying me a bit there Michael.”

Michael pulled down one last curtain before heading towards the couch Lucifer was sat at. His cool expression from earlier now an anger that was about to burst. 

“You should be worried Lucifer. Especially with what you did in Eden!,” Michael hissed.

Lucifer’s response of a confused look and a tilted head only fueled Michael’s agitation towards his brother. How did Lucifer manage to convince the council to give him the main responsibility of looking after the garden of Eden and the humans that inhabited it? Were they that blind? Michael could feel his energy draining just thinking about it. 

“Lucifer, Adam told me what you did.”

That seemed to have finally alerted the small angel to the severity of the conversation. His confused look earlier now replaced with a horrified one. He shrank back at his seat as he reluctantly looked at his brother. And what he saw in those cold blue eyes confirmed his fears. Adam had told Michael about his affair with Lilith. Suddenly, a cold fear pierced his body, leaving him frozen at his spot, unable to refute or defend himself to his brother. Now what? What was going to happen to both him and Lilith? 

Sensing his brother’s growing panic, Michael placed a hand on Lucifer’s shoulder, grounding him back to reality. “Calm down. Adam asked me not to tell anyone else, and unlike you, I don’t go behind people’s backs.”

“Huh? Adam did that?,” Lucifer asked, a little confused and shocked. So not all was lost? The first man still cared for him as a friend? A small happiness bloomed in his chest. It was still possible for him to regain Adam’s friendship despite all that has happened. 

“Yes, and I think he was too lenient with both you and Lilith, but that was his choice.”

Lucifer huffed. What did he know about anything? Michael was barely even in Eden and now he was acting like he knew what was best for Adam. As if him trying to replace Lucifer wasn’t enough. He was still a bit bitter when the first man had rejected him, but was readily willing to be with Michael. He knew he messed up terribly, and he knew he asked his brother to look after Adam in his stead, but did Michael really have to act like he was so much better than him? 

“But that’s not the main reason I wanted to talk to you,” Michael continued. Lucifer and Lilith may have escaped punishment for now, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t give Lucifer a piece of his mind. 

“What were you thinking Lucifer? Really? To have an affair with the first woman?” Michael rubbed at his temples. “You know Heaven would never allow that. Not only that, but you’ve also put a stop to humanity’s progress. They’re bound to start asking questions sooner or later, Lucifer. What do you hope to do then?”

“Is it so wrong Michael? I can’t help who I’ve fallen for! And the same goes for Lilith,” answered Lucifer, suddenly finding his voice. He might have regretted lying to Adam, but he would not be shamed into leaving Lilith. “You may think they’re just humans, Michael. That they’re supposed to just blindly obey Heaven, but I know they’re more than that! They’re more than just Heaven’s little project.” Lucifer gasped for breath, a little overwhelmed by his burst of feelings. This time, he fully faced Michael, a searching look in his eyes. “You’ve spent time with Adam. Surely you believe he should get to choose for himself too?”

Lucifer looked at his pale hands, suddenly feeling helpless despite the power that was gifted to him when he was first made. “And if Heaven eventually does find out then… I don’t know, but somehow we’ll find a way together.”

This was absurd. Maybe even beyond delusional. Michael knew his brother had wild ideas, but he didn’t realise it had gotten this bad. These kinds of thoughts were dangerous, bordering on blasphemous. To go directly against their Father’s intended plans. If Heaven were to ever find out Lucifer held these kinds of thoughts in his head… Well, he wasn’t sure what would happen except for the fact it wouldn’t be good for his brother. 

But what Lucifer said about Adam choosing for himself… Well, luckily he didn’t have to worry about the first man going astray from Heaven’s plan for him. Really, it should neither be his or Lucifer’s business with the goings on with the humanity project. That was up to angels like Sera, who were directly involved with their creation. 

Michael let out a deep sigh. He could feel a headache coming on. There was no convincing his brother, that he knew, but he supposed he could still try. “Lucifer, you have your role to play, I also have my own, and so do the humans. We all have roles to play to keep things in working order. We should just stick to that to avoid ruining everything.”

To say that he was disappointed would be an understatement. Lucifer had hoped that Michael would at least understand a little bit of his point after having spent time in the garden, but he supposed he expected too much. It wasn’t completely Michael’s fault, angels were made to be subservient to God after all. Lucifer was just…an oddity. Still, being made from the same stardust, Lucifer expected a bit more from his brother. 

“Oh, and also,” Michael continued. “I want you to keep your distance from Adam unless he has given you permission, okay?”

“What?”

Michael got up from his seat and got ready for his daily visit to the garden. “You’ve hurt him plenty enough, Lucifer.” One by one, he put up the curtains and opened some of the windows. “It’s time to realise you’re no good for him.”

And with that, Michael opened the door. “I have to leave now, but keep in mind what we discussed,” he said with finality before heading off to the garden, leaving an astounded Lucifer at his seat.

Chapter Text

Michael had been flying over the garden for a while now in search of a certain human. The lake was devoid of the first man’s presence when he came down from Heaven. Of course, he waited at first, maybe Adam was just late or busy. Though as more time passed, his concern only grew. There was nothing dangerous in the garden, every animal and every plant were all safe for the humans, but at the same time, Adam had never missed their daily meetings. In fact, the human himself claimed it was what he most looked forward to everyday. So where was he? The last time he was delayed was when Lucifer had tried to talk to him…

The sound of soft chattering directed the angel’s attention towards a small river, secluded by an encompassing green forest. Michael flew down towards the sound. It could be Adam. Though as he got nearer, the voice sounded clearer, the pitch a bit higher, the tone more reserved. In front of him was the first man sitting by the river bank, his knees close to his chest and his expression a little uncomfortable and guarded, albeit willing to stay and listen to… Lilith, the first woman, as she made small talk in such a casual manner. 

“Adam, I’ve been looking for you,” Michael announced his presence as he walked towards the first man and kept an aloof eye on Lilith at the same time. “You weren’t by the lake.”

Adam gasped then looked up at the sky. The sun was at its peak, its intense rays shone brightly over the entire garden. “Oh, I’m so sorry Michael! I didn’t realise the time!”

“Oh, so you’re Adam’s new friend, Michael,” Lilith noted, her cheek resting on the palm of her hand as she observed the unfamiliar angel. The angel bore some resemblance to her chosen husband, Lucifer; sunny blonde hair and milky white skin, but that was all. This angel was taller, less wispy, and definitely not as amiable as Lucifer, if his freezing gaze towards her were any indication. Still, that didn’t dissolve Lilith’s relaxed demeanour, angels were not allowed to bring any harm to humans after all. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Lilith.”

The air of nonchalance that surrounded her, her confident gaze, her amused smile. Michael disliked all of it. The way she acted like she belonged wherever she pleased when she should be the last thing to approach Adam. “I know who you are, first woman,” Michael replied. “I’ve taken over Lucifer’s job as Adam’s guardian since the incident. I’m sure you’re well aware of it.”

“Uh uhm, Michael…” Adam looked at the angel with pleading eyes. The air around them had suddenly gone heavier, the tension crisp as it sent shivers to his spine. Why was this happening now? Just as he was about to fix things with Lilith!

The smile that graced Lilith’s face quickly faded at Michael’s words. The careless elegance upon her figure was replaced with stilled paleness as dread surfaced in her eyes. “Oh. I’m assuming Adam told you.”

Michael nodded, “Though you are saved from the consequences for now.” He pulled Adam closer to him, wings protectively wrapped around him. “You can thank Adam’s kindness for that.”

Lilith released a breath she hadn’t realised she was even holding. The stiffness that overtook her body washed away by relief from the words she just heard, though some unease lingered preventing her to assume the level of nonchalance she had prior. “I guess you’re right.” She turned her gaze towards Adam, her expression unreadable. “Thanks Adam, that was very kind of you.”

Everything seemed to be going wrong. Things were supposed to get better, not worse! Adam quickly pulled away from Michael and stood between the angel and the first woman in an effort to mend the situation. “Michael, Lilith and I were just patching up. Please be kind to her.”

Michael simply gave a blank stare. Did he hear that right? Adam was rebuilding his relationship with Lilith after everything she had done with Lucifer? Surprise and a bit of disappointment flashed in his eyes before he quickly regained his composure. “That’s good…I suppose,” he huffed. 

Adam kept his gaze on the angel, pleading and reprimanding at the same time forcing Michael to break contact as he shifted his gaze to a random tree. “I will be polite.”

That was better than nothing Adam supposed, though he did hope that everyone would get along better in the future. He turned to look at Lilith. She seemed a bit better now, some of the cool air than normally surrounded her coming back as her figure appeared to be relaxing slowly. That was a good sign. Adam released a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry about that Lilith.”

“That’s alright,” Lilith smiled. “I feel like we started off on the wrong foot.” She looked at the sour angel behind Adam. “Hi, I’m Lilith, the first woman and a friend of Adam.”

Michael sighed to himself. He couldn’t believe what he was about to do. To pretend to make friends with one of God’s traitorous creations. “I’m the archangel Michael, the sword of God and Adam’s current guardian.” He turned around, picked a direction and then started to slowly walk away. “Alright, let’s go Adam.”

“Ah- wait..!” Adam rushed back to his spot earlier near Lilith and picked up the small bag he left there before running after the angel.

“What’s with the rush?,” Lilith asked from her seat by the river bank.

“Oh, we’re just about to grab something for lunch,” answered Adam as he paused in his tracks.

“Ooh, can I join?”

“No,” Michael replied tersely as he stopped to look at the first woman.

Lilith settled comfortably on her seat, an amused smile gracing her lips. “Why not?”

Feeling the atmosphere become more awkward and tense again, Adam replied to Lilith before Michael could, “Maybe next time Lilith, sorry.” And with that the two left, leaving a clearly amused Lilith by the river bank.

On the other side of the massive forest, far from the river bank where Lilith was, Michael and Adam picked forest berries by hand and placed them onto a small basket the angel had conjured for them to use. The heavy atmosphere from earlier was now replaced with the serenity of bird songs and the cooling shade of the forest foliage away from the heat of the midday sun. 

“Are you okay?,” Michael suddenly asked as he kept on picking berries.

Adam stopped to face the angel, head tilted to the side. “What do you mean?”

“From what I know the last time, you didn’t want to be even near her.” Michael placed the berries he picked into the basket before straightening himself up and returned Adam’s gaze. “If she’s forcing you to do things for her, then I can put a stop to that.”

“Nono, she wasn’t doing any of that,” Adam smiled, a small chuckle escaping his lips. His angel was such a worrywart. “We were genuinely trying to fix things between us. And while I still haven’t forgiven her or Lucifer, I do miss the way things were before…this,” he gestured randomly around him. “So I’m trying harder this time.” 

Michael hummed in response. He accepted Adam’s response, but couldn’t help but be a bit unsatisfied. Again, he thought that the first man was being too easy with those two, but he supposed he just had to respect his wishes no matter how much he disagreed with them. Kindness and patience was a virtue after all, though the human seemed to have too much of it. Michael released a sigh at his inability to really do anything at the current circumstances. He really didn’t like it. This feeling of uselessness. He was one of God’s mightiest angels, and yet here he was letting a fragile human deal with the troubles in the garden, that shouldn’t exist in the first place, while all he could really do was stand by and watch. 

Adam had gone back to picking berries when he heard Michael sigh and mumble something under his breath. A thought then struck his mind and he quickly got back up, a little panicked, and grabbed the angel by his shoulders, forcing him to look back at him.

“Ah! Of course that doesn’t mean I want you to leave!,” Adam quickly added. “You’re a change that I’m very happy to have permanently!”

Though Michael was confused and unsure of what caused the first man to react like that, he was also happy at what Adam had thought of him. The idea of being a permanent change in Adam’s life; to have carved and marked his spot forever in Adam’s heart. It all sounded…nice. “Then I’ll be sure to remain by your side for eternity,” he smiled with a fondness that came from deep within him. 

To have those crystal blue eyes look fondly at him and that tender smile that rarely appeared on his flawless face directed at him made Adam’s stomach feel odd. As if there was something small fluttering inside, like a bunch of tiny butterflies fluttering about unsure if where to go. With slightly shaky hands, Adam let go of the shorter angel, looking away from his bejewelled face. He could feel a slight warmth on his cheeks, and the need to simply hide away bubbled inside him as he fought to remain still. “I, uh, sorry…for shaking you like that,” he coughed into his palm in an attempt to hide his burning face.

“No need to apologise. It didn’t hurt me or anything,” Michael let out a small laugh. “Though, I must admit, it was a bit odd,” he added, amusement on his face as he watched Adam somehow turn redder. He wasn’t sure what was causing the man to become so bashful, but he quite liked it. He found him especially endearing like that. It suited him. That was how Michael thought things should be for Adam. To have simple worries only, and none of that Lilith and Lucifer thing. And he was glad to at least have that kind of effect on Adam.

Adam released a shaky breath, “W-well, those berries aren’t going to pick themselves!” And with that excuse, Adam ran off to a random direction away from the angel, bringing the basket full of berries with him. 

“Ah. He ran away,” Michael muttered to himself. He looked down at his hands full of berries. “And took the basket with him…”

~

Why did he run away? Adam really didn’t know why, but he simply felt like he had to, and before he knew it, his mouth made a silly excuse and his legs carried him away. At that moment, he felt like he was about to combust as if the butterflies inside of him just multiplied tenfold and were screaming for an escape out of him. And if he was about to explode, then at least he had the decency not to do it in front of Michael. 

…

Adam groaned into his hands. Why was he acting like this? Recently, he had been feeling a bit odd, like there was something inside of him. It was something akin to nausea, but also quite different. Was he ill? Did he eat something bad? He was sure there weren’t any bad things in the garden. The worse thing was that the feeling sometimes intensified whenever Michael got a little too close to him. Was that what was making him ill? Angelic presence? That didn’t make sense to Adam. He spent plenty of time with Lucifer before and he never got sick. Lilith was also still fine. Adam wondered and wondered, put all of his thought into this one thing, but came up with no answers. He was so confused.

After a few moments of regaining his composure and taming the butterflies inside of him, and much back and forth with himself, Adam finally returned to where he left Michael. The first man came back having picked precisely zero berries since he ran away, too busy being bewildered and worried about himself, while the angel had two new baskets beside himself filled to the brim with berries, way more than what Adam had. 

“Oh, welcome back,” Michael commented offhandedly, still busy picking berries despite most of the bushes and trees now devoid of said berries. 

“Um, I think we’ve gathered plenty enough for ourselves Michael.” Adam looked at the staggering amount of berries the angel had gathered, and then to the empty bushes around said angel. “Way too much.”

At that, Michael paused his activity and finally truly looked at his surroundings. Oh . Perhaps he got a little too engrossed. “Huh. Well, that’s less work for us to do tomorrow, I suppose.” 

“Yes, well, um, that’s good…” Adam fidgeted at his spot. He could feel the butterflies starting to flutter wildly in his stomach again, his hands were getting clammy by the second as he held the little leaf bag in his bag. “...actually, I’ve got something for you.”

Well that got the angel curious. Michael eyed the small bag that Adam had in a tight and guarded grip. “Really? What is it?” 

Adam nervously made his way towards the angel, one hand outstretched as he reluctantly handed over the small bag he was holding to Michael. “I just wanted to thank you for the beautiful lyre you gifted me,” Adam said, his cheeks turning slightly pink. “I hope you like it.”

The bag felt light in Michael’s hand, almost weightless. Slowly, he opened it, revealing its contents to himself. Inside was a carefully handcrafted bracelet decorated with various glistening stones, such as sapphires, aquamarines and lazurites, and seashells of varying shapes and sizes painted white, light blue and a deep ocean blue, all held by a silky golden fibre. The care and thought put into the small gift evident by the intricacies etched into the pieces that completed it. 

The angel’s silence at seeing his gift was eating Adam up inside. “Do you not like it?”

Michael looked back up at Adam, taken aback by the first man’s question. How could he possibly not like it? It was one of the most thoughtful gifts he had ever received in his existence. “Adam, I love it,” he answered as he proudly put the bracelet on his wrist. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been gifted. Thank you, really,” he smiled wholeheartedly, his deep blue eyes glistening with sincere appreciation, the little golden stars under his eyes glowing faintly under the shadow of the forest foliage. 

“Really?,” asked Adam, still somewhat unsure. There was no way his little gift was the most beautiful thing someone as nice as Michael had ever received.

“I wouldn’t lie to you,” Michael guaranteed.

Adam felt his heart swell at that.

Chapter Text

Ever since Adam had gifted Michael the bracelet, which he now wore daily on his wrist, the first man had been giving him more and more as the days went by. Michael didn’t mind, of course, in fact he quite liked all the gifts and had found the action rather sweet of Adam. Still, he found the frequency and amount a little odd as he stared at the pile on the table in front of him. There were various shiny coloured stones, seashells of varying shapes and sizes, beautiful flowers in full bloom and more. He had kept all of Adam’s gifts, not wanting to throw away even a single item. However, now that he had all of it gathered together, he realised he didn’t know what to do with any of it. Should he put them on display? Where would he even put them? Michael was never one for decorating his place; he never really saw the point to it. He scanned over the abundance of gifts on his table, a fond smile forming on his lips. He supposed he could start decorating now.

A brief knock, and without even waiting for an answer, the door to Michael’s place suddenly opened and in barged his brother, Lucifer. 

“Michael, th–,” Lucifer paused, a little confused at the sight in front of him. “What’s with the random pile?,” he asked curiously as he walked in further into the room, the colourful and sparkly pile catching his eye. He was about to pick up a blue stone when Michael’s hand quickly stopped his. That was when he saw another odd thing. Tied around his brother’s wrist was a bracelet of blues, whites and gold made of glistening stones and seashells. Lucifer tilted his head to the side, “Since when did you start collecting trinkets?”

Michael let go of his brother’s wandering hand before answering, “I don’t. Adam gifted these to me.”

Lucifer’s face fell at Michael’s words. “Oh. That’s…nice,” he said with a now tight smile. Sure, he had received gifts from Adam before, but not as much as this, and certainly not something as customised as that bracelet. The unpleasant ‘thing’ that had been slowly building up inside of him just increased in volume at the sight of that dangling blue jewellery ready to spill over and flood his surroundings. He couldn’t believe the duplicity! The gall!

Michael nodded in response, “Adam’s very sweet. Though now, I’m not entirely sure what to do with these.” He pointed towards presents. 

Something inside Lucifer twitched. He could feel his normally cool skin heat up, his fingers itching for…something. “Oh, that must be sooo inconvenient for you,” he commented, his voice laden with jealousy.

The sudden change in the tone of Lucifer’s voice made Michael look up towards his brother. “What?” His brother now had a sour expression on his face. He sighed. He knew why Lucifer was acting up suddenly. “Look, I’m not trying to replace you.”

“Sure, as if you didn’t tell me not too long ago to stay away,” snorted Lucifer.

“I did.”

“Exactly!” Lucifer harshly pointed at Michael.

“Because you wouldn’t respect Adam’s wish for distance otherwise,” continued Michael. “I said to stay away unless he had decided to allow you back in. How you get back in is your problem to solve Lucifer.”

Lucifer remained silent, his shoulders slumped, his eyes downcast and his anger from earlier now a piteous defeat. “I know I really ruined everything, but how can I make up for things when he doesn’t even want to be near me?,” he sniffled. “And now it seems like I’m being thrown away and replaced…”

The sight of his brother being pitiable like that always managed to soften Michael. Somehow, he could never be as stern as he would like to be when it came to Lucifer. Did he deserve this? Michael thought so. In fact, he thought Lucifer got off quite easily, avoiding the consequences of his actions from Heaven itself. But maybe his anger had also cooled down, as Lucifer’s regretful eyes seemed to have some sort of effect on him. It wasn’t a bad thing to want to make amends. 

Michael yielded to Lucifer’s display, and with a sigh, he suggested, “I’ll talk to Adam, okay? If he’s kind enough to keep your relationship with Lilith a secret, then I’m sure he’s kind enough to at least listen to you.”

Lucifer blinked the tears away that pooled around his eyes. Did he hear that right? Was Michael really willing to do a favour for him? When he looked up and saw his brother’s resigned expression, all those negative feelings he had prior got quickly swept away by a sudden burst of hope and happiness. 

“Really?!,” he exclaimed.

At Michael’s nod, Lucifer jumped to hug his brother tightly. “Oh thank you! I’ll do better this time! I promise!”

Adam was in the middle of a vast sea of flowing green and swaying reds, pinks and oranges, humming a soft tune to himself. One bloom in particular caught his eye. Its large vibrant red petals that faded to pink on the edges would look great at the centre of the flower basket he had made for Michael. It had recently become a habit for him to make small things for the angel whenever he found himself waiting for his daily visit. He wasn’t sure why, but he really enjoyed doing it. Then there was the smile that always formed on the angel’s lips and the sincere appreciation in his deep blue eyes whenever he received Adam’s gifts, and it always fed the hungry butterflies in his stomach, satiating them as they fluttered with a passion. 

He plucked the large red flower from the ground and carefully arranged it in the woven basket he held. He turned around to look for more flowers that would make the basket look even more beautiful when a glimpse of blonde hair flowing in the gentle morning breeze surprised him, causing him to flinch and nearly drop his basket.

“Lilith!,” he yelped, one hand over his rapidly beating heart. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

Lilith simply shifted to her side as she curiously eyed the basket full of flowers on Adam’s hand. “What are you doing?”

Noticing her gaze on his basket, Adam held it in front of her, showing her the entire thing. “Oh this? They’re for Michael. I’m collecting flowers I thought he might like.”

“You’re getting him another gift?,” asked Lilith. “Huh. Don’t you think your gifting has been a little excessive lately?”

Adam eyed the flower basket in his hand. “Really? You think so?,” he asked. He never thought about it being excessive, he just did it whenever he felt like it. 

Lilith walked around for a bit, looking for a spot to sit on. After a moment, she found a small patch of short grass devoid of any flowers and chose it as her spot to sit on. She sat there serene and elegant as she soaked in the morning rays, her long hair a silky golden wave in a sea of green. “I’ve noticed lately,” she started. “That you’ve been behaving like an eager puppy.”

“Um, what?,” questioned Adam. What did she mean by that? Was she making fun of him again?

“At least when it comes to your angel friend, Micheal,” she continued. “It’s like you see the world in pink in his presence.”

Adam walked towards Lilith, sitting just across her. His tilted head, furrowed brows and speechless tongue conveyed the confusion in his mind. Words didn’t need to leave his lips for Lilith to understand that the man was oblivious to his own feelings. 

An amused chuckle escaped from Lilith at the naivety presented in front of her. “Oh Adam, haven’t you realised?”

“Realised what?”

“You’re in love,” Lilith answered in a hushed voice.

A blank expression overtook Adam’s face. A minute had passed. Two minutes. Three minutes…

“Ah!,” exclaimed Adam, his face now suddenly flushed red. 

Realisation came crashing down on him. It all suddenly made sense. The fluttering butterflies, the warm blossom growing in his chest, and the feather-like happiness that blanketed his whole being whenever he was with Michael. All this time, love was steadily growing inside of him, nurtured by the angel’s kindness towards him.

“I’m kind of upset,” Lilith added. “You weren’t as sweet to me as you are now to Michael,” she said, her tone teasing and playful. 

Suddenly, Adam’s expression took a darker, more worried turn. Panic and fear blocked out the shine in his golden eyes, his mouth in a tight frown as his mind raced with unpleasant thoughts and his body shook from a sudden shock of coldness. “What am I going to do?,” he asked, more to himself than Lilith. “I’m straying from God’s plan…” 

“Adam, calm down. Look at me.” Lilith reached out and placed both of her hands on Adam’s cheeks. “You don’t have to do anything. It’s just love.”

“But–”

“How can love be wrong?,” she asked. “I know the way I pursued it wasn’t the right way, I’ll admit that, but my love isn’t wrong and so is yours.” 

Sensing that Adam had calmed down a bit, Lilith let go and leaned back to her spot. “I don’t care if Heaven disagrees. It’s about time you stop caring too.” She looked down and plucked a particularly long grass, one that stood out from the rest, and played with between her fingers. “Besides, it shouldn’t be a problem as long as it’s kept hidden from Heaven.”

But that wasn’t all that had Adam worried. Yes, the idea of disobeying God had him gripped by fear of the possible consequences. Would that mean he was a failure? What happened to failures? Was he going to be turned back to dust and be made anew? Or was he going to be thrown away somewhere he couldn’t even fathom? Yes, he feared all of those, but what he feared the most was what Michael would think. As far he could tell, Michael was a devout follower of God and Heaven. His loyalty was unwavering, and he always kept true to his words. Adam knew of this because Michael displayed those qualities all the time in front of him. And while Michael’s sincerity and integrity caused the first man to fall for him, it seemed that Adam was now about to fall out of Michael’s favour. And just the thought of it hurt . 

“But…what would Michael think of me now?,” he asked with a quivering voice. 

Much to Adam’s surprise, Lilith didn’t offer a gentle reassurance or a pitied sympathy. Instead, she laughed with an ease of a cancelled shot of a deadly arrow. Wiping the tears that formed in the corner of her eyes, Lilith finally replied, “That’s what truly worried you?”

She leaned back, relaxing on the soft grass. “He has a fondness for you. I’m sure he wouldn’t think less of you, hypocritical as it may be.” 

“I don’t know…,” said Adam, unconvinced by Lilith’s words.

“You, Adam first man, are officially the dumbest human in the world.”

“There’s only the two of us Lilith.”

“Exactly, that means I’m smarter than you,” Lilith teased. “Anyone with eyes could see it, and I’ve got perfect eyes.”

Adam slumped down from where he sat, feeling a little pathetic at Lilith’s words. Great, now she’s just teasing me .

Lilith noticed Adam’s defeated display, and decided that maybe she should be a little nicer, ease up the teasing a little bit. The little puppy seemed to have had enough. She straightened herself up a little bit, and looked Adam in the eye. “I meant it, you know. Remember I promised no more lies?”

Adam gave a small nod.

“Then you’ll just have to believe my words. Or not. Your choice,” Lilith added. “As a matter of fact, I think you should pursue your love. I’m that confident.”

Adam released a soft sigh, glad to know that at the very least Lilith wasn’t making fun of him, and in fact, seemed to be rather supportive. Maybe because, for her, it would be like finding a kindred spirit, or something along the line.

“Maybe…”

Chapter Text

Adam had been rather fidgety and tense today, Michael noticed. The first man was usually more affectionate and tactile, always sticking close to him and dragging him around the garden to show him something new. And yet, today out of nowhere, Adam seemed to make sure to maintain some sort of distance between them, looking away as his mind seemed preoccupied with something. Like right now, Adam sat at least a metre apart from him as they have their daily shared lunches. The human was mindlessly nibbling on a slice of melon, his thoughts clearly far and away from where he was right now. The only relief that Michael had was that, at the very least, Adam didn’t seem to be avoiding him, though he was still acting weirdly towards him.

Having enough of being purposely ignored along with not being able to hide his concern any longer, Michael placed his own slice of melon down and confronted Adam. “What’s bothering you?”

“Huh?” Adam looked up from his slice of fruit and finally looked directly at Michael for the first time today.

“You’ve been rather distant today,” Michael clarified. “And you seem to be distracted by something. You know you can always tell me what’s bothering you.”

Adam fidgeted uneasily on his seat, his gaze back down on his barely eaten melon as he twiddled his fingers while he considered Michael’s suggestion. His brows furrowed and lips downturned, uncertainty painted upon his features as he weighed his options carefully in his mind. 

“Oh, it’s nothing really…”

That…didn’t look good for Michael. “Have I done something to upset you?,” he asked. Michael knew that despite his efforts, he always seemed to put off others; apparently something to do with the atmosphere he exuded, whatever Lucifer meant. But now he was carefully considering his brother’s words, had he somehow been unkind to Adam? If so, it was something he wanted to quickly apologise for and rectify.

“What?” Adam quickly glanced back at the angel. “Oh nonono! That’s not..! It isn’t..!,” Adam paused to gather his thoughts. “You’re not at fault Michael,” he smiled softly albeit still anxiously. 

He shouldn’t pry, Michael knew he really shouldn’t, but damn if he wasn’t curious now, still concerned, but definitely on the more curious side now. That, and Adam’s answer just wasn’t satisfactory enough to deter his curious wondering, especially when the first man didn’t seem to be wholly honest with his response. 

“So how come you’ve been avoiding being direct with me today?,” he inquired. 

Adam opened his mouth to try and refute, but before any words came out, Michael continued his questioning. 

“You’ve been keeping a certain distance from me, you keep looking away from me, and you’ve been keeping our conversations short,” Michael listed the oddities he noticed today, counting them one by one with his fingers. Three pale fingers were held up accusingly towards Adam.

“I– uhm.” Adam’s throat suddenly felt very dry, having his actions listed like that made him feel caught out. “Are you really going to make me tell you?,” he asked with wide pleading eyes, lower lip bitten. 

Well, now Michael just felt awful. Perhaps he had pushed too much. He sighed, “No, you don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to. I’m just worried I did something wrong.” Deep blue eyes held Adam’s golden ones, as Michael expressed his sincere apology. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have pushed you like that.”

And that just sent Adam’s heart aflutter even more as the warmth in his soul spread aglow throughout his being, spreading such giddy happiness all over. He just couldn’t help it; the more he spent time with the angel, the more deeply fell into this whirlpool of pink flowers and light fluttering wings of blue butterflies. It felt inescapable, and honestly, he didn’t want to leave at all as he enjoyed the sweet scents and the soft brush of it against his bare skin while he stood at its epicentre. It was like being in a completely new world, separate from Heaven and Eden, and more beautiful than both combined. It was his paradise within paradise. 

Slowly, he moved closer to the angel, sitting at a distance he normally used to be in. It was odd, for him to act so boldly now that he was keenly aware of what his heart contained. Adam glanced down at the angel beside him, long lashes shading his golden eyes that held an uncharacteristic seriousness behind them. “I’ll offer you the same deal like last time,” he proposed, his voice almost a whisper. “I’ll tell you, only if you keep it a secret.”

Suddenly, it was Michael himself who felt like he needed more space between him and Adam. Such closeness and the way Adam currently looked under the sun’s bright glow, it was like the man himself was made of the purest of gold; more divine than anything in Heaven, and yet completely whole with the earth. It was as if the gold had seeped into his very being, the liquid quickly solidifying within him, leaving him stiff and unable to move a single muscle within such a pure presence. Somehow, perhaps through divine help, his voice finally managed to find its way out of his lips. “I promise.”

The air was still around them, the playful banter between the ripples of the lake quieted down, the garden’s residents moved more gently and softly all to listen in on the words about to be said aloud by the first man. Adam took a deep breath, his nerves set alight, heart pounded against his chest demanding to be freed. And so, he did. “Michael, I… You’re the reason that I look forward to seeing the sun rise high up in the sky everyday.” 

Adam paused, trying to maintain his composure; though his eyes wanted to look away and his body to run far away, he kept his gaze at the angel who had his heart and anchored his body to remain beside him. “You were by my side when I needed it most, and even now you still remain.” He gently held Michael’s hands between his and confessed, “I would like to be the one to remain by your side, Michael.”

The confessed words lingered in the air in anticipation of what was to come next. Michael felt himself drawn into such beautiful eyes, that held such vulnerability and anxiety, but most of all love. His gaze moved down to the first man’s lips, and unconsciously, Michael leaned up towards Adam, slowly closing the gap between them.

“Michael–,” Adam gasped.

But before the distance between was closed, Michael stopped his advance, suddenly becoming very aware of the situation they were in. Out in the open in broad daylight, he was about to…to… He pulled away from Adam and turned away, untangling their hands in the process. Shame and alarm washed over him like a wave of freezing water as the reality of what he had almost done sank into him. 

“Michael?,” asked Adam as he tried to look over the angel, confused at the sudden change in his behaviour.

Michael kept his back turned to Adam, unable to face the human. “I’m sorry Adam.”

Three words, and Adam felt his heart shatter into a million jagged shards. What had happened? One moment Michael seemed to reciprocate his feelings, and then pushed him away in the next. Had he read things wrong? 

“I don’t understand. You were about to–”

“Make a mistake,” Michael cut in. 

Adam could feel tears well up in his eyes and his lips quiver despite his efforts not to cry. “So I would’ve just been a mistake to you…”

Upon hearing this, Michael quickly turned around to face a sniffling Adam. “What? No! That’s not what I meant,” he grasped Adam’s face between his hands, forcing the human to look him directly in the eyes. “You’re not a mistake Adam, you won’t ever be.”

“Then why?”

“Because you are the first man, and I’m an archangel. It just cannot be, you know that,” answered Michael. 

Adam removed Michael’s hands away from his face, but kept his gaze held. “But how do you feel?”

“I…care for you, Adam,” he replied, breaking his gaze away from the first man as he looked down at their intertwined hands. 

“But not enough to follow through with it.” Adam tried to pull his hands away, but Michael held them firm between his.

“It doesn’t matter how much I care for you. It’s not allowed. The consequences could be dire, especially for you.” He looked back up at Adam, his eyes begging the first man to please understand what he was trying to convey. “Please understand, Adam. I can’t risk you.”

With a resigned sigh, Adam slowly nodded, “I understand. It couldn’t be helped, I suppose.” He pulled his hands away from Michael, this time the angel letting it go, and placed them over his broken heart. He needed some distance between the two of them, and not in the same way he had felt just mere minutes earlier. Space. He needed space between them. 

“You should go,” he suggested. “It’s getting late.”

The sun was still at its highest point in the sky, and the lunch they had prepared together barely eaten, there was still plenty of time before Michael had to go back to Heaven. But when he attempted to reach out towards Adam and the man pulled further away from him, he knew that it was getting late. 

“I…guess it is getting late…,” he hesitantly agreed. Michael stood up, patting his robes off of any dirt before unfurling his three pairs of white-blue wings. He glanced one last time at Adam, “I’ll be off then.” And then flew back to Heaven, leaving only dust behind from where he last stood. 

Adam watched the now empty spot beside, and before he knew it, tears finally flowed down his cheeks. He understood where Michael was coming from, which was precisely why he felt so stupid right now. What exactly was he thinking? How could it have possibly ended any other way? He knew Michael, and how steadfast and loyal the angel was towards Heaven. He was lucky that Michael was even doing him such favours in the first place. He knew that, and yet he still… It seemed like Lilith got it all wrong.

Adam remained seated on the rock by the lake, tucking his legs close to his chest as the midday sun’s warmth seemed to have stopped reaching him. He broke the slices of melon into smaller chunks, tossing them into the lake as fishes from big to small rushed to gather where the fruit sank. Some smaller fish stayed further behind as fish that looked similar to them swam back to them with a chunk of fruit in their mouth. Waterfowls of different kinds also gathered by the lake, hoping to get some fruit as well. Many came in pairs, flying and swimming together, feeding and grooming one another. Meanwhile, Adam sat by his lonesome on the rock as he watched the animals care for one another. 

The drakes had their hens, the bucks with their does, the boars and their sows. Even the dragonflies by the reeds danced in pairs as they playfully chased one another, their iridescent wings shimmering under the morning’s light. It wasn’t fair. Adam hugged his legs even closer to himself as he buried his face in his arms, hiding the enviable sight away from his eyes. He tried to stop the tears from flowing out by pressing his eyes against his arms, but it seemed like a fruitless task as the pain that was seeded in his chest just kept growing and growing until they blossomed as tears that trickled down his cheeks. His mind understood Michael’s reason; logically, it made absolute sense, but his heart just couldn’t seem to cooperate and accept the fact. 

Even Lilith, his supposed equal, had a partner, even if that someone was Lucifer. Every resident of the garden seemed to have someone who remained by their side, pairs who were meant to be together for eternity. And yet, here he was, made to have an equal and companion in mind, without someone to call his. 

Chapter Text

Today was a good day. He finished all of today’s work quite early in Heaven, Sera seemed to be more lenient than usual, some of his ideas were being considered, and now he was on his way to see his beloved Lily. The sun embraced the garden in its encompassing warmth, and Lucifer happily basked in it as he adventured through the garden, humming a cheerful tune. Once in a while, he would stop mid-skip to pick a pretty flower for his pretty wife, tying all of the flowers he had picked so far together in a silky purple bow. 

A large purple rose in a lush bush caught his eye, causing him to take yet another brief detour. As he got closer to the flower, the sound of someone snuffling reached his ears, and ever the curious angel, Lucifer pushed some of the foliage in front of him to peek at the source of sound. Who could possibly be upset on such a perfect day in paradise?

The answer was Adam, the first man. The human was seated on a rock by the lake’s edge, tearfully feeding the fishes with chunks of fruit while trying to withhold his tears. Lucifer looked left and right for another person’s presence, but there didn’t seem to be anyone else. Why was Adam upset? Had he fought with Lilith again? And where was Michael? Wasn’t he supposed to be in the garden around this time? 

Lucifer knew he shouldn’t, his presence would probably only sour Adam’s mood even further, but still, he couldn’t just walk away! And so, with slow gentle steps, he made his way towards Adam, ensuring to carefully announce his presence by coughing into his fist once he thought he was close enough, but still at a respectful distance. 

“H-hey Adam,” he greeted as he fiddled with his robe, eyes looking to the side. He turned his body a little to the side, hoping to peek a little at Adam’s expression. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Adam quickly rubbed the tears away from his cheeks and eyes, groaning a bit at Lucifer’s presence. “Ugh, not now, Lucifer,” he said as he shooed the small angel away from him.

Ah, it seemed like Adam still didn’t want him around. “Well, um, I could get Michael for you if you want,” Lucifer suggested.

While Lucifer’s intentions were good, it seemed that the effect was, in fact, the opposite of what he wanted as Adam suddenly burst into tears at his suggestion. The first man dropped the pieces of fruit on his hand as he covered his face with both hands, sobbing into them. Panic overcoming him, Lucifer decided that the best course of action was to rush to the human’s side to try to comfort him, but froze when he was beside Adam as he remembered the human’s discomfort with him. So, he simply ended up awkwardly standing beside the distressed human, fidgeting and unsure of what he did to have upset Adam even more and how to fix it. 

“Ah, uhm, okok! I guess that’s out of the picture.” Lucifer glanced around, hoping to find an idea of what to do. In the background, he could hear some birds chirping and singing beautiful melodies to one another; the tune a calming sound to anyone’s ears. Human’s also enjoyed music. In fact, he remembered he used to play lots of songs for both Lilith and Adam back in the day. 

And so, with a wave of his slender hand, a harp was created into existence, sparkling gold and utterly heavenly in every quality. Lucifer sat beside Adam and started to play a calming melody on the harp, the notes seamlessly flowing through the air, bouncing on the lake, and echoing between the foliage. Animals of every kind paused in their activities to face the heavenly musician and listen to the ethereal melody he played. The music was a soothing tune that imbued their very beings with a loving warmth akin to the unconditional love of a parent to their child. Adam, being another of Eden’s mortal residents, was also affected by Lucifer’s skillful performance with the harp. The pain in his chest, while not gone, eased up a little, just enough to calm the tears that spilled from his eyes. 

Adam calmed down by the soothing music echoing by the lake, rubbed his already red and puffy eyes once more and then glanced down at the small angel beside him. Unfortunately, he had to admit, Lucifer did make his heart feel a little less heavy, his mind a little less crowded. Such was the effect an angel could make.

Lucifer’s hands slowed until they completely stopped playing the harp, and he slowly reopened his eyes, ruby eyes looking up into faded golds. “So, how come you burst into tears when I mentioned Michael?,” he asked.

And then the serene moment was ruined. Lucifer and his lack of tact. Adam released a disappointed sigh as he turned away from the angel. He was grateful for the song, really, but ever since the ‘incident’ and spending more time with Michael, he was finally seeing how truly short-sighted and tactless Lucifer could really be. Yes, he knew that Lucifer never meant any ill will, but still, it was a little grating. 

“You’re still not willing to talk to me?,” Lucifer pouted, a little hurt by the human’s persistent rejection of him. 

Adam kept his back turned to Lucifer, arms crossed. “No, and I don’t have to.”

“But I heard you’re friends again with Lilith!,” argued Lucifer. “Why am I the only one not forgiven?”

“I haven’t fully forgiven Lilith, I only talk to her because I have to. We both live in the garden, we have to at least get along.” Adam turned back to Lucifer, an accusing finger pointing towards the angel. “You, on the other hand, don’t live here, so I don’t have to put up with you.”

“Hehehe,” Lucifer giggled.

“What are you laughing at?,” asked Adam, annoyed at the gall displayed in front of him.

Lucifer smiled cheekily at him, “I made you look and talk to me again!”

Adam scoffed, “I was telling you off!”

“Yes, but last time you wouldn’t even acknowledge my presence, so this is progress!,” Lucifer beamed, completely forgetting the purpose of why he was sitting beside Adam in the first place. 

But that was alright for Adam, at least it got his mind off of his currently broken heart. 

“So, do you want to join me with Lilith?,” Lucifer asked, the confidence boost making him more bold.

“No, go away.”

Michael didn’t know what to do. He had gone back to Heaven earlier than expected, and yet was unable to get any work done with his thoughts being a tangled mess. The shiny marble floor squeaked every so often as Michael anxiously paced back and forth across his office, the papers on his desk abandoned and in a mess. Adam had just professed his love to him, and what did he do? He almost called the man a mistake, and then proceeded to tell him that duty was more important than his feelings after almost kissing him.

Oh dear Father, how could he be so thoughtless and inconsiderate? What was wrong with him? To behave in such a way… 

But how do you feel?  

Adam’s words echoed in Michael’s mind. He had been playing the words over and over again in his mind since he had flown from the garden; hearing it in different tones, in different volumes as if that would make it any clearer and help him find his answer. Michael paused in his tracks, fingers ghosting over his lips. Unconsciously, he did lean towards Adam, eyes focused on his lips, hoping to connect and savour them. To know what it would feel like against his. Would it be as soft and tender as he had imagined? Sweet on his taste buds, yet warm in his chest? 

Michael let out an annoyed groan as he crouched in on himself, both hands clutching his hair. Really, he knew the answer to Adam’s question, but was he willing to accept it? Only recently, he had admonished his brother, Lucifer, for taking the first woman, Lilith, as his. And yet, here he was, a bag of messy conflict. He hadn’t even realised falling for Adam, and before he knew it, he had reached the bottom of the pit. The worst part was that, he wasn’t sure if he could get out. Not because he couldn’t, but because he wasn’t sure if he even wanted to. Michael could feel guilt and regret bubbling inside of him, the last words he told Adam coming back to haunt him. It was the right thing to do, it made sense, he was sure of that, but… Oh, he was such a fool.

“Michael?”  A woman’s voice dragged him out of his scrambled thoughts, like being splashed with a bucket of ice cold water. He turned to his side, to face the door, and saw a tall angel in whites, lilacs and greys. 

“Sorry for letting myself in, but you weren’t answering your door,” Sera apologised, though the look in her eyes conveyed that she was more concerned about something else. “What are you doing on the floor?”

The silence that followed after was deafening. Michael felt like he was just caught deteriorating into some sort of chaotic goo. Calm and collected Michael, a pile of mess on his office floor, what would the others think? He was grateful it was only Sera who had seen him like this, if it were the others, then he would never hear the end of it. 

“Oh, uhm,” Michael cleared his throat as he stood back up, patting some non-existent dust off his robe. “Just had some…troubles. But nothing you should be concerned about!,” he assured. Especially her, of all angels, didn’t need to know what was plaguing his thoughts. He knew Sera well, there wouldn’t even be a discussion. 

“What can I help you with?,” he asked as he got back to his seat. And with a wave of his hand, pulled the chair out in front of his desk, offering it to the High Seraphim. “Please, take a seat.”

Sera looked rather unsure as she scanned Michael’s office, her eyes landing on his desk, a scatter of unfiled papers. “I can come by later. You seem rather preoccupied right now.”

“Nono, I’ve got time!,” Michael replied as he quickly gathered the papers on his desk into a messy pile. It was embarrassing enough for him that Sera found him having a crisis on the floor, he couldn’t add seeming indolent to the list (though it was true he hadn’t gotten much work done).

“Well, if you insist.” Sera invited herself further into the room, her strikingly elegant figure a stark contrast to the messy state of the ‘too small for her’ office. “I’ll be brief,” she said after taking the seat offered to her.

“You have been visiting the garden, yes?,” she asked.

Michael felt his mouth dry. Did she know more than he thought? “Yes, I do my usual daily patrol of the garden.” He paused, unsure if he should say more. It wasn’t like he had been hiding his recently new duties from anyone before, but he felt like he had been caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to do (though he did keep Lucifer’s ‘entanglement’ with Lilith a secret). “And I help out Lucifer in the garden from time to time.”

That seemed to have piqued Sera’s interest, a curious look forming in her eyes. “Really? Well, that’s fortunate for me then. Especially since your brother seems to always be absent whenever I wish to talk to him.” Sera straightened her dress, sitting more upright. It seemed like the quick question had just turned into an impromptu discussion. “My judgement may be inaccurate since I rarely visit the garden, but don’t you find it going a little too slow? The progress of humanity, I mean. It has been over three years, and I haven’t yet heard of anything significant. Do you know any specifics regarding Adam and Lilith?”

Oh. The time had come. Michael knew Heaven would eventually start to question things, but he didn’t realise it would come so soon, and yet, here was the beginning of it. What should he say? How much should he omit? It seemed that his past actions and choices had all decided to come haunt him today.

“Well, from what I’ve observed, they seem to get along well enough…”

Chapter Text

“Well, from what I’ve observed, they seem to get along well enough…”  

That was what Michael had told Sera and even went on to assure her that everything was going well in the garden, when he knew damn well that wasn’t the case at all. Well, Adam and Lilith seemed to be rebuilding their relationship, but not in the way the angels wanted and had planned for them. Michael ran a hand through his hair, sighing heavily as the truth of the matter was slowly sinking into him. He was stuck in a self made ditch and was currently making it deeper for himself; any more and it’d be a grave. 

He needed to gather those three and talk to them. Realistically, the solution to this mess was obvious, but also realistically, none of those three would agree to it and nor would he, if he could admit . Michael never thought he could ever be this stressed, and here he was, caught panicking on the floor by Sera herself. Oh, he really had fallen, hadn’t he?

“What do you mean you got rejected?!,” Lilith whisper-shouted at Adam as she dropped the mango she was eating on her lap in surprise. 

A couple of days had passed since Lucifer began pestering Adam again, and today  it seemed that his persistence had finally paid off as Adam actually joined him and Lilith for lunch, the loneliness having finally gotten to him. 

“Keep quiet Lilith!,” shushed Adam, placing a hand over Lilith’s mouth. He really didn’t need his personal troubles to be said aloud.

“Oh calm yourself, it’s just Lucifer,” Lilith said dismissively as she pulled Adam’s hand off her face, though she did end up lowering her voice. “No wonder you’ve been looking so miserable these last few days.”

“How nice of you to say…” Adam glanced down at the mango he was holding with barely a bite. “I’ll get over it… Eventually.”

Lilith the mango she had dropped back up, taking a bite out of it as she hummed to herself and contemplated the news she had just received. “I’m honestly shocked. I was sure he–”

“Well, you were wrong,” Adam cut in, the subject obviously a sore topic to him. “Look, can we talk about something else?”

For a moment or two, Lilith seemed to consider Adam’s request, leaning back in her usual nonchalant pose before suddenly leaning forward again towards Adam. “Hmm, no.”

“That’s not–”

“I just don’t understand why he rejected you,” Lilith continued, disregarding Adam completely. “It’s very obvious that he likes you as well.”

“It doesn’t matter. It wouldn’t be allowed anyway,” said Adam, his eyes downcast as he continued fiddling with the mango in his hands before throwing it away for the birds to feast on. 

Lilith snorted, “Who cares? Lucifer and I are together.”

At the mention of his Lucifer looked up from where he was sat, surrounded by over a dozen cockatiels perched on his hat, his wings, his shoulders, everywhere really, and gave a little wave at the humans. Lilith gave a wave back to her silly little angel, while Adam simply nodded in acknowledgement. 

“Well, Michael’s not like you or Lucifer,” Adam argued back.

“Well, he’s a fool.”

“Don’t talk about him like that.”

“And you’re a fool too.” Lilith crossed her arms, brows furrowed and cheeks slightly puffed up, looking very disappointed at Adam for giving up so easily. 

“I know,” Adam sighed, looking away from Lilith and the sun that pierced through the foliage behind her, like a truth burning his eyes. “You don’t have to remind me.”

This was one of the reasons Lilith just couldn’t be with Adam. The man was simply too complacent for her liking, and when finally given a chance to choose for himself, he would simply choose what the angels had already chosen for him. The thought alone had her blood simmering beneath her skin. They were supposed to be equals. How could she be equal to him when he behaved like this? This was not something she was willing to stand for.

“I say try again.”

“Lilith, I told you already–”

“Are you seriously going to just give it up when it’s literally within your grasp? Adam, really?,” Lilith pushed, disbelief and disappointment heavy in her voice as she grabbed Adam by his shoulders and shook him. 

“Woah woah, let’s not fight!,” Lucifer butted in, with a few cockatiels still perched on him. 

Lilith snapped her head towards the angel as she let go of Adam. “Back me up here, Lucifer! Adam’s just going to give up something he wanted even though it’s already in his hands!”

“Eh? Huh? What’s happening now?,” Lucifer asked, completely lost and out of the loop. “Uh, uhm. Adam, you should try to strive for your dreams!,” he tried, though from the way Lilith placed a hand over her face and shook her head, it seemed that he was off the mark, maybe even far from it.

“Thanks Lucifer, I’ll keep that in mind,” said Adam as he got up, ready to leave. 

“Wait!,” Lucifer called out, one arm reaching out but not fully stopping Adam. “If it’s something that truly makes you happy, then maybe it’s also something worth holding onto,” he advised after finally understanding what Lilith had asked of him. 

Adam simply gave him a look and a nod, then resumed his getaway. Their words were nice, encouraging even, but he didn’t want to be too hopeful for something that was so uncertain. 

Alright, after two days of sorting out files and paperwork he had foolishly disregarded in favour of also sorting out the chaotic mess that were the thoughts in his head, the pragmatic half vs the idealistic one, Michael finally managed to have the time (and guts) to venture back into the garden. Normally, he would visit just before the sun was at its highest on Earth’s sky, but now he wasn’t so sure. The last time he was with Adam, the first man urged him to leave, no longer wanting his presence. Admittedly, he thought he deserved it at that time, but now, he had important matters he wanted to reveal to Adam. 

In the end, Michael decided that, yes, he would visit the garden a little earlier than he used to. Give himself some time to gather his thoughts and composure. 

So now, here he was, flying down the garden towards the lake he and Adam always met up in. The lake was devoid of the first man’s presence, at least for now. Good. That meant that he had time to prepare his words more carefully this time. He paced back and forth by the rock where they shared and ate food together, and also where he had last seen Adam. Michael winced, remembering how badly that ended. This time though, he was going to make sure that things weren’t going to end like that. It took him a while, but this time, he was sure of it, no doubt left in his mind. Though finding a way to work around it would be difficult, but that was exactly why he had come down to the garden in the first place. 

Speaking of… Michael stopped his pacing, and looked up and around. The sun had passed its highest point in the sky, and yet, there was no other presence by the lake besides him and the animals who lived nearby. Michael suddenly felt very stupid, having let routine simply guide him to the lake, when now that he thought about it, it was obvious that Adam would probably stray away from the place, at least for a while, considering the memories he had of it. Well, it was of no bother to him, he would simply find Adam. Though, hopefully, Adam wasn’t actively avoiding him like he did Lilith and Lucifer. 

Unfurling his six wings, Michael then took off high in the skies, way above the trees and bodies of water that littered the garden, then began his search for the first man. 

Unbeknownst to him, another presence had arrived in the garden.

After a few minutes of searching around the garden, Michael had finally spotted a tall figure walking by the shore, a cast of crabs and seabirds eagerly following behind them. Without a doubt, that was definitely Adam. 

And so, Michael quickly flew down towards the human. 

“Adam..!,” he called out as he landed in front of the man, abruptly stopping the first man in his tracks.

The look that Adam gave him hurt, apprehension and hurt in his now downcast eyes. It hurt to know that, this time, he was the cause of such hurt in Adam’s heart. At the very least though, Adam hadn’t turned away from him. That meant he still had a chance to rectify his mistake, right?

“Oh, hi Michael,” Adam greeted, not meeting the angel’s eyes. “You…you know you don’t have to come visit me anymore, right?” In fact, the angel hadn’t needed to check up on Adam for a while now. Adam had been doing well lately, even getting along again with Lilith, and maybe even Lucifer. He understood that Michael was a busy angel, so it would be a relief for him to know that his extra job is now done, especially since it would probably be uncomfortable now for him to have to keep Adam company. 

“What? Adam, me visiting you might have started out of duty.” Michael stepped closer to the human, one hand cupping his cheek. “But not anymore. I visit because I care about you.” 

Adam felt his cheeks heat up at Michael’s touch, their close proximity, and the way his eyes looked tenderly at him, holding him as carefully as one would with a fragile little flower. It was almost as if the angel also reciprocated his feelings. But that was just his feelings toying with him, making him see things that weren’t really there but he wished were. He placed a hand on Michael’s hand, slowly peeling it away from his cheek. He really didn’t want to hope for more.

However, Adam’s action only seemed to drive Michael even closer to him, this time holding his face with both hands, forcing the human to face the angel, though his hold was as gentle as ever. The muscles on his face wrinkled slightly as his eyes softened, squinting slightly, his lips a thin line, and he prepared to gather his breath and voice out what was truly inside his heart. 

“Remember when you asked me how I felt instead?,” Michael asked.

“Y-yes, and you’ve made your point clear enough,” Adam answered, face flushed, and while he wanted to run away and hide, his feet were also stuck on the sand below, captivated by the glow of the angel in front of him. The cool hands on his cheeks a comforting feeling, and he longed for more.

Michael caressed the soft, sun-kissed skin that was Adam’s face, thumbs just under his beautiful golden eyes. His heart swelling at the most perfect sight in front of him. He knew it couldn’t be, but he also couldn’t let Adam think that he didn’t feel the same any longer. He would simply have to think of a solution after clearing this matter up. 

“I wasn’t clear at all. Not even to myself. And I’m sorry it took me a while, but I’m sure of it now.” Michael leaned up closer towards Adam, their noses barely touching as their eyes locked onto one another, a silent confession of feelings between the two. “I’ve fallen for you Adam.”

A gasp, their eyes fluttering close, and then their lips met with a tender touch, at first hesitant and anxious, but eventually grew the courage to pursue for more, their hearts bare and exposed for one another. There was no returning from this, and neither side would ever complain. Adam’s lips were as soft as Michael had imagined, sweeter than he ever would have thought as he licked between Adam’s slightly parted lips, asking for permission. And when he was given permission, the taste of honey, silky and smooth, danced on his tongue. 

Eventually, they parted, though their eyes kept them connected. A new sense of belonging blossomed within their chest, the tender gazes they held one another like sunlight to the bloom. 

Adam’s cheeks were warm on Michael’s palms, a red hue spread from his face to his ears and down his neck. But his eyes. Oh his eyes were like the first rays of the day, full of tender love and happiness, the few tears that pricked them like fresh morning dew. 

His hand ghosted over his lips, the feeling of their encounter still very present. Adam could feel his body shake from the sheer joy that was bubbling inside of him. The fluttering butterflies that he had caged for so long, happy to finally be set free. 

“Michael, I–”

“Michael! How could you!” 

A cold, harsh voice pierced through the air. Three pairs of enormous white-lilac wings flapped in the sky, moving the wind around them. A tall angel with long grey hair, dressed in whites, greys and lilacs descended upon them, her presence authoritative and full of freezing anger. 

“How dare you taint the first man!”

Chapter Text

Sera knew she shouldn’t rush them. The humans, after all, need time; the time to explore and discover the garden, and the time to grow and learn about one another. That was fine, some things simply needed time, and Sera was a patient angel. However, it had been a little over three years since both Adam and Lilith were created into the garden, and still, there were only two humans in the garden with no sign of a third one being made. Somewhere along the line, things seemed to have stagnated, and she couldn’t help but be a little concerned. Normally, she would simply ask Lucifer for any important updates, his job was to care for garden and its residents after all, however, the little playful angel seemed to have become unavailable as of late, and whenever she did finally get a hold of him, his answers were always the same: “Oh, they’re getting along great! They just like to take their time. There’s still so much for them to learn after all!”

It wasn’t like Sera didn’t trust Lucifer, but she knew he could get a little…distracted at times, and could’ve missed some details. And so she asked the other angel she knew that also visited the garden, Michael. And much to her delight, Michael apparently sometimes helped his brother around the garden. Sera knew that Michael was a pretty meticulous angel, so she found it a little odd when he essentially said the same thing as Lucifer when she asked about the humans in the garden. Of course it was good to hear that the humans were getting along just fine, however, if everything had been going as smoothly as the two brothers claimed, then what was the hold up? How come humanity hasn't multiplied yet? And so, while it was not in her intention to distrust the words of her fellow angels, Sera had decided to visit the garden herself; to seek answers to her own curiosity that others couldn’t seem to satisfy. 

“How dare you taint the first man!” 

The cold echo of Sera’s voice rang throughout the beach as she flew down from the skies and towards the two culprits by the shore, who in turn turned to her, frozen still by the harsh coldness of her presence. 

Eventually, Michael appeared to have been unfrozen from the shock of being caught, hiding the fist man behind him as he decided to face Sera. 

“Sera, calm down, I–,” What could he say? He had been caught, there was no denying what he had done. 

Sera stood in front of the two, towering over them both, her usual amiable demeanour absent. “Adam, come over here.”

Adam flinched as the high seraphim’s freezing tone washed over him. He had never been subjected to an angel’s wrath before, and feeling it now, he knew it was something he would never want to experience again. The urge to simply obey and avoid worsening things was strong as fear gripped his beating heart. But instead, Adam simply hid further behind his angel, holding one of his hands for comfort. Despite the fear, he simply couldn’t do it, he couldn’t abandon Michael to save himself.

“He doesn’t want to, Sera,” Michael said as he squeezed Adam’s hand behind him and unfurled his wings, shielding the first man away from the high seraphim’s cold anger. “Please calm down, you’re scaring him.”

Though, despite Michael’s attempt at placating Sera’s ire, the high seraphim only appeared to glow even blindingly brighter, her six large wings spread wide and tall behind her as her anger increased instead. She lets out a disgusted scoff, “You’ve really truly corrupted him.”

Near the tree line by the beach, Lucifer and Lilith walked hand in hand, looking for Adam. They had decided to bring him along with them to play, especially since he had been rather solitary in the last few days. They knew they had wronged him before, and so, this time, they were going to do better. 

Noises by the beach caught both of their attention. It wasn’t just the sound of the gently rolling waves or the sea birds' loud calls, no, it sounded like two people talking loudly, or more specifically, it sounded like conflict. Lucifer, ever the curious one, flitted towards the edge of the tree line, peeking out to look for the source of the sound, with Lilith quickly trailing behind him. His eyes scanned the wide, flat landscape of the beach until it landed on two, no, three figures standing by the beach, Michael and Sera, who both had their wings stretched wide open, and Adam, who appeared to be cowering behind Michael. 

“What’s happening?,” Lilith whispered beside him. “I thought Michael stopped visiting.”

Lucifer looked on wordlessly. He also had no idea what was happening. Normally, it was him being scolded by Sera. His brother, ever the dutiful angel, always got along well enough with the high seraphim. So this sight in front of him was a baffling one for sure. And how was Adam involved in this? 

Suddenly, Sera approached closer to Michael, harshly grabbing his arm, though he remained steady on his spot. The situation looked more serious than a simple scolding. And so, without thinking any further, Lucifer sped through the air towards the two angels. 

“Lucifer!! Don’t–!,” Lilith shouted in a whisper, one hand reaching out to try and stop the angel, though he was much too fast for her.

“Are you suggesting–?!” Lucifer could hear Sera’s voice rise in pitch, incredulity heavy in her tone.

“No, that’s not what I said, I–” Michael argued back.

“Sera! Michael!,” Lucifer yelled, stopping the two in their tracks as he landed in front of them. “What’s happening? Why are you fighting?”

Sera let go of her grip on Michael’s arm as she turned to Lucifer. “Your brother here,” she pointed harshly at Michael. “Is the reason why no development has occurred for so long in the garden. He has poisoned the first man,” she hissed. 

Lucifer looked towards Michael, then at Adam who remained behind him, shocked at the news Sera had just told him. Michael and Adam? Since when? His brother simply looked down and away from him, not from shame of loving the first man, but from the feeling of his hypocrisy being brought up to the surface as his brother, who he had reprimanded for having an affair with the first woman, stood in front of him. 

There was a brief, but deafening, silence between the four as Lucifer took in the revelation, letting everything truly sink in. 

“A-anyways, as I’ve said before,” Michael continued, not looking his brother in the eye. “I did not manipulate Adam! I would never do something like that! Adam…,” he looked back at the human behind him, smiling softly. “He chose me of his own accord.”

Sera rubbed her temples, feeling her head become heavier and dense with exasperation. “Do you not understand?,” snapped at Michael. “You are causing him to stray from God’s plan. That’s what he was made for. Do you plan to cause his unmaking?” 

The area between the four suddenly felt colder at Sera’s words, the threat of possible harm to the humans the brothers fell for lodged like a bullet to their brain, and suddenly, both only became concerned for the safety of their respective beloved. 

“Lucifer, you were responsible for the well being of the garden and its people. You’ve failed once already, don’t fail again,” Sera reprimanded. 

“I–” Lucifer looked between Sera and Michael, torn between the two, unsure of what to say. Of course, he wanted to defend his brother, he agreed with him after all. He believed that the humans shouldn’t have to be forced to follow and live a life they never asked for, but the thought of causing their unmaking, to return them to dust and be born anew. He couldn’t risk losing the Lilith he had already grown to love and care for. 

He looked Michael in the eyes, his ruby reds wide with apology, and guessing from Michael’s own look of sad understanding, it seemed that he already knew what Lucifer’s choice was. 

“S-Sera’s right, Michael,” Lucifer forced out. “To influence Adam like that…it’s dangerous. We shouldn’t try to thwart God’s plan.” 

“Lucifer..!,” Adam cried out from behind Michael, finally speaking up as he looked at his supposed friend, golden eyes pained from the betrayal. “How cou–”

Michael’s hand pressed against Adam’s chest, stopping him from saying anything further. There was no need to drag Lucifer and Lilith down with him, no need to escalate things further. If only he was to be punished, then that would be good enough for him. 

Satisfied with Lucifer’s words, Sera turned her attention back to Michael. “Michael, of all angels, I just couldn’t believe it would be you to do something like this. What happened? What skewed your principles?,” she sighed tiredly before straightening back up, heavenly glow brightening up again as she prepared to deliver judgement for Michael’s actions. “You are hereby forever banished from the garden. You are forbidden to interact with any of the humans. You will instead be assigned to the lands outside the garden, where you will handle the threats there. Be grateful that is all I’m giving you.”

The shame and guilt of the traitorous words he had just said against his brother and his friend made Lucifer unable to say anything further as he kept his gaze away from the two; too cowardly to face the pain and betrayal in their eyes. 

Michael was banished from the garden. Banned from ever seeing Adam again. Adam was once again, alone in the garden. 

The moonlight shone brightly in the night sky, its serene beauty a shimmering reflection on the lake’s surface. The light bounced off of the water, lighting up the small area around it. Adam sat by the rock on the lake’s edge, the moon’s reflected light dancing across his doleful face. The night had a forlorn quietness to it, and so will the morning and the night after and the day after, at least for Adam anyway. He threw a small at the lake and watched it bounce across the water, its little plips and plops the only true sound around him. That is until he heard light fluttering accompanied by quiet approaching him. He knew who those belonged to, though he didn’t have the energy to turn and greet them. 

“Adam,” Lilith called out, her voice the gentlest he had ever heard of, as she sat beside him, though she ensured that there was a comfortable distance between them. Lucifer, on the other hand, opted to remain standing just behind Adam and Lilith. 

Lilith knew what had happened, in fact, she was there, though she remained hidden behind the trees, unwilling to bring herself towards the conflict. Lucifer had told her some more of the intricacies, and while she felt horribly for what happened to both Michael and Adam, considering she had first insisted Adam pursue the angel, she was also relieved to know that they, at least, had been spared and her secret with Lucifer remained hidden. It was selfish she knew that, but this was the best outcome. 

“I heard what happened…,” she started. “And I…I’m sorry.” She then glanced at Adam, who’s eyes remained glued to the moon’s reflection on the lake’s surface, then shifted her gaze towards Lucifer, tilting her head a bit. 

Lucifer stiffened at Lilith’s suggestion. He felt horrible, really. How should he even begin? Words and apologies were simply not enough, but he would try anyway. He took a deep breath, calming his nerves. 

“I- I’m so sorry Adam. I had to choose, and I–”

“It’s alright. You simply did what you thought was best. I’m sure Michael would agree with that,” Adam replied, his breath shaky as he tried to withhold his sorrow. “There’s no need to apologise.”

Lucifer finally decided to sit beside Adam, a hand on his back, rubbing it up and down. Lilith also moved closer, sandwiching Adam between her and Lucifer. The three watched the moon in doleful silence. A quiet sob the only other sound by the lake.

Chapter Text

Adam wasn’t doing well. At all. Ever since Michael’s banishment from the garden, the first man seemed to have reverted to how he was when he first found out about Lucifer and Lilith’s affair. He wasn’t eating much, he wasn’t talking much, he wasn’t moving much at all except for when he did his daily visits to the lake. Today too, Adam visited the lake, sitting at his usual spot on the rock, just staring woefully at the still waters, his eyes still a little swollen from crying himself to sleep last night. Yes, he both had Lilith and Lucifer to comfort him, but their presence wasn’t of any help to him at all. Their relationship itself was already a cause of envy for Adam, what he could have had with Michael but was currently impossible to reach. It wasn’t their fault, he knew that, but he just couldn’t help what he felt whenever he saw them. It was a painful reminder. 

That was actually the reason that Adam had been visiting the lake at seemingly random times. Lucifer or Lilith or sometimes both of them often tried to ‘be there’ for him, but all he really wanted was to be alone, and away from them, at least until he finally managed his thoughts and feelings. He looked up to the early morning sky, the sun had barely awoken yet, the sky was still a pale blue and the air was still cool and crisp. A few early birds flew above him, singing praises of the arriving day. This was supposed to be paradise, wasn’t it? 

“Oh Father, what did I do to deserve this?”

For the first time since he first took his breath, Adam felt trapped in Eden.

Lucifer was worried. About Adam and for Adam. He knew that the human was far from doing great, especially emotionally, and of course he understood why, but Heaven couldn’t seem to empathise much, or at all. That was exactly why he was so worried right now as he listened to the other angels around the table talking about future plans for Eden, and how to ‘rectify’ the damage that his brother, Michael, had caused. Lucifer shuffled uncomfortably in his seat, he was not hearing good things. He had told them honestly how Michael’s banishment had terribly affected Adam, how the first man had been neglecting himself due to the sadness of being separated from Michael; he had hoped that that would garner some pity and sympathy for Adam, and that maybe they would drop Michael’s punishment, but it seemed that his way of thinking was just too different from theirs. They pitied the first man, sure, but the solutions that they came up with…

“Maybe he’s broken then?”

“Should we remake him anyway then? That way he’ll be a clean slate again.”

“That would solve the issue, I suppose.”

“But that means he would have to start over again with Lilith.”

“Which is good. Thanks to Michael, Adam had begun to not want Lilith, right Lucifer?”

“Um, no, that’s not what I meant,” Lucifer tried to correct but his voice was drowned in the discussion amongst others. He sighed, this always happens. They would invite him to a discussion, hear what they wanted from him, and then ignore his words and opinions for the rest of the meeting as if he wasn’t there to begin with. What could he do? This was looking very bad for Adam. 

Sitting just a few seats from Lucifer was Sera, looking as stern as she had been these last few days. She appeared to be taking in everyone’s thoughts on the matter, though the way her brows furrowed and her lips tight, she, too, didn’t seem to be too fond of the current consensus. Maybe Lucifer could catch her after the meeting and convince her of another way? After all, she did have the final say when it came to matters regarding Eden. 

The meeting droned on and on, and despite Lucifer’s efforts to join in, he remained mostly ignored. In the end, he ended up simply doodling on the papers given to him and everyone at the start of the meeting. Some other angels gave him a disapproving look, but he cared as much as they cared about his opinions, which was not at all. Eventually, the voices calmed and quietened down. They haven’t arrived at a single agreed solution, but that was expected of Heaven, they always took so long to decide anything, but this time, it actually worked in Lucifer’s favour. Soon enough, everyone began to get up from their seats and walked out of the room. 

As quickly as could get between the crowd of angels much taller and bigger than him, Lucifer reached out, trying to stop Sera from leaving. 

“Sera! Wait!,” he called out.

Thankfully, Sera seemed to have heard him amongst the crowd, somehow even spotting his tiny figure in the sea of feathers. She stopped in her tracks, turning to face Lucifer as she waited for him to finally reach her. 

“Yes?,” she asked.

“C-can we talk? About what to do with Adam I mean,” he answered, hating the way he sounded, as if he were simply talking about a doll. 

Sera pulled her chair back, sitting on it again as she tilted her head to the seat next to her. Lucifer took the hint and sat on the chair next to her. Oh dear, he was hoping it wouldn’t be so formal, but then what did he expect? This was Sera after all. 

The two sat in silence for a moment as Sera waited for the entire crowd to leave the room before speaking. “I noticed you were trying to say something during the discussion.”

Lucifer perked up. So she did notice! That was a good start, that meant she was willing to at least listen to him. “Yes..! I, uh.” He looked a little nervously at Sera, the tall seraphim always managed to intimidate him. “I don’t agree with what the others said. I know what you’re going to say. ‘Oh but Lucifer, you never seem to agree with anyone’ and yeah, but that’s because–”

“Lucifer, let’s get to your point please,” Sera cut him off. 

“Always straight to business, huh? As expected of–” One stern look from Sera quickly stopped Lucifer from rambling again. “Ahem,” he coughed into his hand. “Right. I was saying, I don’t think there’s a need to remake Adam.”

“What do you propose then?,” Sera questioned. She also didn’t particularly like the idea of remaking the first man, but unless Lucifer had another idea, then she saw no point in simple words of disagreement. 

Lucifer fiddled with his fingers, he was really banking on Sera being nicer than the others, even by just a little bit. “I suggest we simply let Adam take his time to heal.”

Sera quirked a brow at Lucifer’s suggestion, though she offered no disagreement nor approval. 

So, Lucifer continued to explain what he meant. “I’ve spent plenty of time with the humans, so I know their capabilities the most. Just– just give Adam some time, he’ll uh,” he really didn’t want to say it, but… “he should get over Michael soon enough. T-that way we wouldn’t have to start from scratch again.”

Sera placed a hand under her chin, seemingly thinking over his suggestion carefully. “Hmm. I see. Well, thank you for your suggestion Lucifer, but I must leave now,” she finally answered before she stood up from her seat and headed towards the door.

“Will you think about it?,” Lucifer asked one last time. 

Hand already on the door, Sera turned to Lucifer one more time. “I’ll think about it.” Then she left the room, leaving Lucifer with conflicting feelings of both worry and relief. He could only hope now that she would choose his idea over the others’.

Michael sat on the edge of a cloud, overlooking the garden of Eden. How he wished he could just fly down there and go to Adam. From what he heard from Lucifer, it seemed that he wasn’t doing well at all. He let out a sigh; if he could, he would immediately go down there and comfort his human, give him all the love that he deserved and more. 

“If only I hadn’t been so reckless,” he berated himself. This was his fault, but he had no idea at all how to fix it. Not only was no longer allowed to be in Eden, he was cut off from everything that involved Eden. Actually, ever since the news spread of how he had ‘corrupted’ the first man, Michael hadn’t been too welcome in Heaven lately, with almost everyone eyeing him criticall. Thankfully Lucifer was still by his side, keeping him updated with the important ongoing events. 

Speaking of Lucifer. The light fluttering of wings announced Lucifer’s arrival, not that anyone else would want to talk to Michael currently. Michael turned towards his brother, who looked rather uneasy, well that wasn’t a good sign. Lucifer told him that they had an important meeting regarding the garden, which Michael was obviously not invited into, and so he waited by this spot until it was over and for Lucifer to share the important details. 

“I’m assuming it didn’t go well?,” Michael commented based on Lucifer’s appearance. 

Lucifer made his way to the edge of the cloud, sitting beside his brother as he also looked down at the garden. “Oh, you know the usual, getting ignored and all as if I wasn’t ever there,” Lucifer ranted.

“You didn’t get a turn to speak at all?,” asked Michael, looking a little sad for his brother. He knew how hard Lucifer tries only for most to disregard him as someone who ‘didn’t know better’. 

Lucifer sighed, exhausted from the day’s work, he hadn’t even gotten the chance to visit the garden today. “No, not really, especially now that you aren’t there to help me out a bit.”

“Well, I doubt my presence would help this time,” Michael reminded. 

“Oh yeah, speaking of…” Lucifer turned to face Michael, his ruby red eyes looking both glum and worried. “They wanted to…to remake Adam, it would make things easier apparently.”

“What?!” Michael gripped his robe tightly as a sudden anger surged through his body. “Please tell me you opposed them!”

“I tried, really! But I couldn’t even get a word in,” Lucifer answered, but as he was about to continue, Michael had already started getting up with a determined look on his face. “W-wait! Calm down a bit!” He tried pulling Michael back down to him, though he just ended up being dragged along. 

“I am calm. I’m just going to have a talk with some people,” replied Michael as he continued his march. He wasn’t going to allow them to simply decide to erase Adam like that, not without him intervening anyway. 

“Let me finish what I was going to say! I talked to Sera about it!,” Lucifer yelled out, still clinging onto his brother. 

Michael paused in his tracks as he looked down at Lucifer. “Why didn’t you begin with that?”

“I was leading up to it.” Lucifer let go of Michael's robes as the other sat back down with him. “I asked Sera to just give Adam time to get better instead of remaking him. She didn’t exactly tell me if she made up her mind yet, but she said she’ll consider it.”

“So, I’ll just have to wait for her decision,” Michael noted. He didn’t like this at all, Adam’s existence as he was being at risk of erasure. And it was all in the hands of a single entity. He just hoped Sera would end up agreeing with Lucifer’s suggestion.

“Right,” Lucifer agreed. 

The two went back to idly watching over the garden of Eden, Lucifer, of course, didn’t miss the way Michael’s eyes looked longingly down at the garden. 

“I’m guessing you miss him,” Lucifer remarked, still looking down at the garden. They were so high up that even he could barely make out the rivers that meandered across the garden’s landscapes. 

“Everyday,” Michael sighed. But there was nothing he could do, the enchantment around the garden repelled him from ever setting foot within its protected boundaries. 

Lucifer looked down at his hands, his guilt resurfacing once more. A few days had already passed, and while Michael hadn’t said anything, Lucifer still felt guilty for betraying him like that, especially when he, of all people, should’ve been the one to defend his brother. But his fear of losing Lilith overrode that. Just the thought of losing her forever scared him so much that he just… 

“Do you want to know a secret?,” he asked Michael.

Michael eyed him a little suspiciously; Lucifer’s secrets were almost always a double edged sword. 

“Oh, just say yes!,” Lucifer huffed. 

“Go on then, share your secret,” Michael conceded. 

“When I’m trying to hide away from Heaven, I hide in the garden. But I don’t just hide there, I also disguised my presence, that way it’ll be almost impossible to find me,” Lucifer revealed, a little proud of his antics. 

“Huh, so that’s why we could never find you.”

“What I’m saying is,” Lucifer continued. “You could visit Adam if you want, just in a different form.”

Michael looked at Lucifer, scepticism clear in his dark blue eyes. “And if I’m caught?”

“You won’t be caught! Or at least you shouldn’t be if you hide your presence well enough and are careful,” reassured Lucifer. “I can teach you how to do it properly!”

“And you’re telling me this because…”

“Because I’m sorry, for betraying you. And I know you haven’t said anything, but that just makes me feel even worse,” Lucifer looked Michael in the eye, genuine guilt heavy in his features, seen in the way his red eyes drooped sadly, the way his lips curved down in a frown, even his red cheeks appeared less vibrant than it usually was. “I just hope this will make up for it, even just a little bit.”

“I wouldn’t lie, it did hurt when you turned your back on me that day,” Michael admitted. “But I understand why you did it.” He pulled Lucifer into a hug, hoping to lift some of that guilt off his shoulders. “But I think I’ll still accept your offer for a lesson in hiding.”

Lucifer simply nodded. He was more than happy to share what he knew.

Chapter Text

It was another day of being by his lonesome, having successfully avoided both Lucifer and Lilith for most of the day. It wasn’t like he hated them or anything like that, he just couldn’t help but feel a burning envy at what they have whenever he saw either one of them. It didn’t help that somewhere deep inside him still somewhat resented Lucifer for his betrayal of Michael. He hated feeling those, hated knowing he could have these feelings, and so, he avoided them both just to avoid watering those negative emotions into growing bigger. Adam stared at his reflection on the lake’s surface, tinted slightly orange as the sun slowly sank lower towards the horizon. What was he to do now? He wasn’t particularly on board with the whole starting humanity thing anymore…

As if on cue, a gentle voice called out to him. “Hello, Adam.”

Adam looked up from his reflection and saw the being he really didn’t want to see for a while, or ever. 

“What are you doing here by yourself? Where’s Lilith?,” asked Sera as she made her way towards the first man, her beautiful lilac dress softly trailing behind her. 

Adam didn’t respond, even as she sat beside him, keeping his gaze back down on his wavy reflection on the water. 

“Adam?” Sera placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her brows furrowed in visible concern. 

“I wanted to be alone,” he finally responded, though he didn’t raise his gaze.

Oh dear, that didn’t sound so good. Sera gave the humans in the garden some time to settle amongst themselves as Lucifer had suggested a few days prior. However, seeing Adam like this and Lilith not being present told her that clearly time by itself wasn’t enough. 

“Adam,” she sighed. “You shouldn’t avoid Lilith like that.”

“I don’t want Lilith. I want…,” he argued, his voice trembling slightly. He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands, not wishing to spill anymore tears. 

“You know that’s not possible,” Sera reminded him. “You are the first man, and you have a duty given to you by our Father. It’s best if you move on.”

No response. It seemed that Adam had gone back to staring at his reflection on the water, clearly not wanting to accept Sera’s words. Eventually, Sera stood back up, one hand softly patting Adam’s head. 

“Well, I must head back now.” She looked down at the human sitting on the rock beside her. She remembered when he used to beam with excitement during the rare times she did visit the garden. Now, he refused to even look at her. But that was alright, young souls tended to be unable to see the bigger picture and what was best for them. He just needed some help, a little push, and hopefully things would go back on track, as it always should’ve been. “Take care of yourself, Adam.” And with a shimmer of gentle light that slowly faded into nothing, Adam was alone once more. 

A dark blue hue had already covered the sky by the time Adam had returned to his cave, all nice and dark and…gloomy. He stood there by the entrance letting its cold emptiness fully sink into him before dragging himself inside and flopping on his bed made of leaves, allowing today’s exhaustion to spill out of him. His muscles felt stiff and tense, his bones heavy; he hadn’t done much today, as he had been in the last few days, but Sera’s presence and their conversation drained whatever energy he still had away. Even from where he currently was, Adam could still see the stars glistening in the dark sky as if they were peeking inside to cheer him up. They kind of reminded him of Michael and the little stars that were scattered between his eyes and cheeks; golden and pretty, a warmth in the cold air. The little light that managed to reach into the cave and onto his face somehow felt soothing, almost like a lover’s soft kiss. And with that thought, Adam let the night welcome him into dreams. 

In contrast to how peaceful he felt as he fell into sleep, Adam’s night time rest didn’t feel all that, well, restful. He felt like he should be in pain, but he was not. It felt like there was something probing inside him, searching carefully for something, one by one as if considering their many options. And then something disconnected. The unwelcome probing stopped, and yet now there was this ache of missing something – as if he lost a part of him. Adam wanted to wake up, he could feel his consciousness trying to grasp out of the mud he was trapped in, and yet his body wouldn’t listen, still entrenched in deep sleep. Soon, panic arrived in small but unending waves, piling its debris on top of each other, allowing it to grow taller and taller, wobbling unsteadily until eventually a strong gust of wind sent it crashing down.

Adam bolted upright, gasping desperately for air as a slight pain blossomed around his chest. Faint yellow rays invaded the cave, slowly brightening the space up; the air was still slightly cool and the birds were more than halfway done with their morning songs. Adam placed a hand over his chest, his heart still beating rapidly from the odd sensation he felt during the night. With slow deep breaths, he eventually managed to calm his heart down, the panic that built up slowly being washed away. But then he was fully awake now, fully aware of what and where he was once more, and the loneliness that came with it. 

Just as he was about to sink back into his bed and waste the day away as he usually did, a shadow crossed his features, quickly getting bigger until it covered him entirely. There, in front of him, stood a woman, human just like him. It would be odd for Lilith to suddenly enter his own space, especially this early in the morning, but this was even more odd. The human in front of him was a woman alright, but Adam was definitely sure it wasn’t Lilith. For one, Lilith had long flowing blonde hair, this one had shorter, but still long red locks in thick waves; Two, Lilith had sharp looking amethyst eyes and milky white skin, this one had round, soft blue eyes and a sun kissed complexion similar to Adam’s. 

“Who–?”

“Oh! You’re finally awake!,” the woman said, her voice sweet and lively. “Hello Adam! I’m Eve, the second woman and your new wife!”

A weird high pitched sound buzzed inside Adam’s head as he simply sat there speechless, bemused by what he just heard and saw. Was he still asleep? Was dreaming still? He rubbed his eyes and when Eve remained standing in front of him, he rubbed them again and again and again. Eventually, he ended up needing to stop when his eyes hurt too much and Eve still remained where she stood. 

“Um…,” Eve uttered, unsure what to make of Adam’s behaviour. So instead, she revealed the basket she had been hiding behind her back and showed it to Adam. “I got us breakfast!” Shoved in front of Adam was a basket filled with fruits ranging from small berries to medium sized honeydew melons, all looking ripe and freshly picked. “I wasn’t sure which ones were your favourite so I just got everything I could,” she explained.

“W-wait, I don’t…,” Adam stammered, unable to properly express the cloud of confusion in his mind. He pushed the basket away from him and glanced back towards Eve. She was definitely a brand new human. “Since when? I mean, I’ve never seen you before.”

“I was made just this morning,” Eve smiled at him, placing the fruit basket on the ground as she took a seat at the edge of the bed. “I was told to love and care for you, and that your heart is in pain right now.” She grabbed both of Adam’s hands and held them warmly between hers. “But don’t worry! I promise to help you get better!”

Her smile was dazzling, it had a freshness and purity to it like fresh morning dew glistening under early morning rays. She had a presence that was freeing as it was captivating. In another life, Adam would’ve instantly fallen for such beauty, loving her for eternity with all of his heart. But his heart already belonged to another, entangled deeply in vines and he was more than content to keep his heart there. 

“I…I’m sorry Eve.” Adam slowly peeled Eve’s warm hands from his own. “But I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”

Specks of bright light were peppered along Lilith’s long hair making its golden colour seem to shine ever brighter. Her pace was leisurely, though each step carried a purpose. She was looking for Adam, her other companion in this enclosed space she had to call her home. While Adam’s avoidance of both her and Lucifer hadn’t escaped her notice, she needed to find him and talk to him about keeping up appearances at the very least. Tales from Heaven she had received from her chosen husband, Lucifer, didn’t appear to bode well for either of them. They needed to form some sort of plan. 

Lilith continued her search throughout the garden; along the beach where little crabs burrowed themselves under the sand; across a meadow where butterflies fluttered alongside her; pass the safari where the golden fields swayed to the same rhythm as her hair; even by the lake that the first man often frequented to simply sit in silence. Everywhere she looked was devoid of the presence of the first man. For an enclosed space, the garden of Eden was vast and seemingly ever expanding, especially whenever she was out on an ‘adventure’. Eventually, she found herself back inside a forest, the canopy providing her plenty of shelter from the warm rays of the afternoon sun. As she continued her walk across the lush forest, the sound of water rushing over rocks, dragging pebbles and twigs along with them, got louder and clearer. But what really caught her attention was the sound of voices from where the stream seemed to be. Yes, voices , a pair of voices to be precise; one masculine – that sounded very much like the first man, the other higher in pitch and feminine and very unfamiliar to Lilith. 

Who could that be?  

With intense curiosity guiding her steps, Lilith made her way towards the pair of voices. Once she passed the treeline, the bright momentarily blinding her, with a hand raised to block out the sun, Lilith was greeted by the sight of…two humans? One was most definitely Adam, who seemed to be explaining something to the other human beside him. This other human resembled Lilith more than it did Adam, though the differences between them was stark. For instance, from what Lilith could judge from where she currently stood, this other human was shorter than her, and while its figure was of a similar to hers, its curves meandered much more than hers, and it had long bright red locks that flowed in thick waves from its head. Lilith made her way towards the pair, her steps light and quiet as she focused her attention in examining this new human in front of her. The closer she got, and the clearer the features of this new human became, it became apparent to her what this new human was. 

“Oh!,” the new human squeaked in pleasant surprise, its big round blues suddenly focused at the new presence approaching. 

Adam turned to look at what new other thing had caught her attention, “Oh, Lilith. This is–”

The new human quickly got up from where it sat beside Adam, excitedly making its way towards Lilith, the light of the day shimmering brightly on its eyes, a perfect smile on its plush lips, sweet like strawberries. 

“Hi!,” it grabbed Lilith’s hands, its warmth spreading to Lilith’s own cool temperature. “I’m called Eve! And I’m–”

“A new woman,” Lilith uttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Chapter Text

Lilith eyed the supposed second woman up and down, her gaze scrutinising but otherwise unreadable. The warmth from her hands an uncomfortable feeling against Lilith’s own cool skin. This new woman was so different from her; from her brightly stark looks to her sweetly energetic demeanour. It was as if she were the corrections Heaven had deduced from their observation of the first woman. Lilith pulled her hands away none too gently as if burned by Eve’s touch, turning her focus towards Adam instead. 

“Adam, what’s the meaning of this?,” she demanded, the purple of her eyes looking particularly sharp and dark, a certain coldness emanating from her as she pushed past Eve, arms crossed.

Adam couldn’t help but flinch at Lilith’s sudden coldness. Yes, there were plenty of times they didn’t get along especially before he knew of her affair with Lucifer and she had been cold and aloof towards him, but never this piercing. 

“Heaven made her with the intention of being my second wife,” Adam quickly explained. “I had no say in the matter. I just woke up and she was already there.” He pointed towards Eve, who waved back at both Adam and Lilith, a confused smile on her innocent face.

“I don’t like this,” Lilith mumbled, her icy expression merging into a swirl of confusion and anger mixed in with a hint of fear. The idea of being replaced settled like lead in her stomach as its toxicity pervaded her blood spreading into every cell of her body. A certain sickness entered her thoughts in the form of fear – fear for her well being, fear for what lied ahead for her. What would happen to her now that someone else had filled in the role she refused to take? Would she be returned to dust? Or would they also make her a new ‘husband’? Both options were far from good for her. “Her being in Eden ruins the current state of things we’ve made for ourselves,” she said, glancing back at Eve with sharp disdain.

Seeing Lilith’s freezing glare towards Eve, Adam decided to get up from where he sat and pulled Lilith to face him instead. While he also wasn’t happy with Heaven’s decision to present him with a new wife, Eve also had no part in the mess they were currently in, she was free from any blame. He firmly grasped Lilith’s shoulders, grounding her back to him, his eyes directly facing hers. 

“You need to calm down,” he told her. “Eve is innocent.”

“I am calm.” Lilith smacked Adam’s hands off of her, annoyed at the perceived patronising attitude. “I’m just stating the facts.”

“Um, what’s happening there?” Eve leaned to the side, wide curious eyes glancing towards the two, curious of their hushed discussion. “I think I heard my name?”

“Oh, nothing important!,” Adam answered, walking closer towards Eve but not before stopping by Lilith’s side, a hand on her shoulder and whispering, “Please be nice to her.” And then he continued his way towards Eve, holding her hand as he finally properly introduced the two women to each other. “So! Eve, this is Lilith, the first woman. And Lilith, this is Eve, she’s new to the garden.” He held out his other hand towards Lilith, a pleading and hopeful look in his eyes as he mouthed a silent plea for her cooperation. 

Lilith released a sigh, her slight indignation fading along with it as she begrudgingly took Adam’s hand, and agreed to play friends for the time being. She put on her signature smile, alluring and dignified, an air of distant grace surrounding her as she walked closer towards Eve. “Hello Eve. Sorry about that, I was simply…surprised.”

“That’s alright!” Eve beamed up as she grabbed Lilith’s hand once more in a sincere display of happy enthusiasm. 

Lilith was half tempted to push her away, the overly bright attitude irritating her. But she forced herself to hold in the urge, and instead kept the smile on her face, tight as it was. Eventually, she managed to pry her hand away from Eve’s grip, wiping it on her side. 

“So, you’re Adam’s new wife?,” she asked as they made their way towards the riverbank, where she ended up quickly washing her hands using the river’s water, not trusting where the overly energetic and seemingly too adventurous second woman’s hands had managed to creep into. 

“Yes! I was made to be his partner!,” Eve replied, oblivious to Lilith’s clear dislike of her. 

“Huh, that’s odd, considering I’m still here,” Lilith said as she sat beside Adam, leaning back on her hands, a haughty air around her. “Didn’t the angels tell you about that?”

“Well…” Eve looked away from Lilith, a little unnerved by her purple gaze that seemed to pry inside her, searching with cold precision. “All they told me was that you two were not compatible, so here I am.” She took a quick peek at Adam, who was sitting between the two women. “Adam told me that there might have been a misunderstanding…,” she continued, looking down at the grass, her upbeat mood heavily dampened. To have the first two humans deny the need for her existence, well, it simply hurt her. Was she truly made from a misunderstanding? A mistake? 

“A-anyway, I’m still happy you’re here,” Adam cut in after noticing Eve’s downcast eyes. “Though we can’t be together, you already make the garden more fun for me, as a friend!” He gave her a small reassuring smile, not wishing for her to feel unwanted. 

“Yes, well, Heaven clearly wasn't paying enough attention towards the garden,” Lilith commented, though a sharp look from Adam kept her from saying more. She had to, after all, be friendly towards her replacement, at least for the day, tomorrow or the days after were a different promise. “Well,” she got up from her seat, brushing the dirt off her skin. “Let’s show you around the garden. Adam may have shown you some things already, but I know the best places.” 

Adam stood in the middle of a meadow, tall green grass rising up to his thighs swaying side by side alongside the cooling evening breeze. He had been left to spend the afternoon by himself as Lilith kicked him out of the little tour they were giving Eve as it was supposedly a ‘girls only’ thing from then on. It didn’t even make sense to him, Lilith was really the only woman in the garden. Though he didn’t bother to argue, after all, he had Lucifer before to play with, which was apparently too rough and ‘boyish’ for Lilith to take part in; that, and she did genuinely seem rather excited for once to share something with a fellow woman. 

Horses of different colours and sizes gathered around Adam, some snuggling up to him while others simply stood there, happy to just be near him, but all were queueing up for a turn to have their coats brushed. Ever since Adam began using this thing he called a ‘brush’ on the animals, which he had initially made for Lilith to help untangle her hair, many furred or long haired animals came up to him begging to be brushed. Though for them, it wasn’t about untangling their hair but more like it simply felt soothing for them. Adam had actually learned so much more about the animals ever since he started brushing them, some of the smaller cats made this odd vibrating sound whenever he brushed them, while some of the cows simply started lying on the grass and closed their eyes. Horses were one of the animals he especially enjoyed brushing, their coat simply a satisfying sensation against his brush, they usually remained quiet and still, AND he got to braid and adorn their manes as well as their tails with flowers and whatever pretty thing he could get his hands on. 

And so, here was Adam, left out of showing Eve around the garden but not minding it even a little bit as he got to enjoy brushing the horses. Though, it seemed that word got around quickly that he was in this specific meadow as more and more horses seemed to show up and queue patiently for their turn. Within a short space of time, Adam was in a sea of horses, unable to even see anything beyond them. And while he was all too happy to spend time with them, the sky was slowly beginning to yellow, and within just a couple of hours, night time would take over. 

Adam looked around the sea of horses, and tried to push past them to get out. It was proving to be rather difficult, considering how much bigger they were than him, while others were simply too stubborn to let him leave. 

“Come on guys, I have to leave soon,” he said as pushed another to the side, though he was still far from being out. 

“Would you like some help?” A familiar voice asked in the middle of the small chaos Adam was in. He looked around, desperately searching for the source of that voice. Could it possibly–?

“Michael?,” Adam asked aloud, his voice hopeful with a tinge of desperation. He knew it was nigh impossible for his angel to be back in the garden, but he couldn’t help but hope anyway. He kept looking around, turning left and right, pushing aside everything, and yet, all he could see were more horses. Did he simply make it up in his mind? It wouldn’t surprise him if he did, he did miss his angel dearly. 

Just as he was about to give up and accept the fact that he was simply deluding himself, a beautiful horse with a shining golden coat appeared in front of him. He had seen some horses like this, most of them having a white or silver coat. This one, however, seemed particularly beautiful, the most beautiful in fact, with a softly waving golden mane and tail; and did it have blue eyes? It was odd, but…it almost reminded him of–

“I’m sorry it took me a while to return to you,” the golden horse spoke. “It proved to be rather difficult for me to perfectly master this disguise.”

“Michael..?,” Adam asked, his voice quiet and as still as the heart in his chest. He wasn’t sure if he could believe his senses, every night he dreamt of reuniting with his angel, and now…

“I’m here,” Michael moved a little clumsily towards Adam, careful not to place too much pressure as he nuzzled against the human’s neck. “I know I look different, but it’s the only way for me to visit you.”

“I don’t care about that,” sobbed Adam as he quickly embraced Michael, wrapping his arms around his neck. Tears freely flowed from his eyes from the pure joy he felt from having his love back to him. “I’m just happy you’re here…”

Michael wished he could hug Adam back and wrap his wings around him like he used to, to shelter his love from the sadness and loneliness that Heaven had forced upon him. To wipe his tears away and hold his beautiful face with the gentlest hands and kiss him with all the love he could give. But for now, he would settle for this; contented enough to simply be together with Adam. 

Adam wiped the tears from his eyes to truly look at Michael’s form in front of him. “You’re a horse…”

“...yes…”

“But why a horse?,” asked Adam, his curiosity now taking over. He had seen Lucifer shape shift into various animals before, from massive ones like elephants to tiny ones like a butterfly. “Why not something smaller? Like a bird.”

“Well, I wasn’t particularly skillful with the other forms,” Michael admitted. To disguise himself as a smaller animal made sense, it was less conspicuous and would make travelling undetected easier, but he also found them more difficult to use as an effective disguise. Transforming into various animals wasn’t at all difficult, it was disguising as them that was difficult to fully master. It wasn’t a simple matter of shape shifting his physical body, but he also had to shift and restructure his angelic core so that it resembled the animal he was shifting into so that he could pass through the garden’s barrier undetected. For some odd reason, the horse was one he was able to easily master, and it seemed that that was good enough. “That, and a certain someone told me you’ve developed a habit of brushing horses.”

“Lucifer?,” asked Adam, a little disbelievingly. 

“Yes, in fact he was the one who taught me this trick,” Michael revealed. “He’s trying to make up for what he did. Try not to be too harsh on him, okay?”

Adam looked away for a moment, letting the information sink in fully before replying. “Okay,” he finally said. It wasn’t like he truly ever faulted Lucifer for Michael’s banishment, but the resentment was present regardless. This reveal, however, erased most of it. 

“How long can you stay?,” asked Adam.

Michael looked towards the slowly sinking sun; the sky remained mostly blue still but it was beginning to yellow. They had a couple of hours at max. “I’ll have to return before dark lest they notice my missing presence.”

“Then, I have something quick to tell you.”

Chapter Text

Soft shades of pinks and blues with trailing feather gold clouds covered the quickly darkening sky by the time Michael had returned to Heaven. It had been a rush back to Heaven, he wanted to remain longer in the garden with Adam, especially with what he had been told of. A new wife – Heaven had created a second woman to be Adam’s new wife. Just a few weeks ago, before all of this, Michael might’ve been fine with this decision, however reluctantly. But now, the very idea itself sat so incorrectly in his stomach that he could feel the bitterness dwell on his tongue, vile and disgusting. He couldn’t– he wasn’t willing to just give Adam up that easily. But what could he possibly do? He couldn’t even be in the garden without an elaborate disguise.

Michael paced along the streets of Heaven, his thoughts muddled with worrying thoughts. But…but what if this was the best outcome for Adam? Just recently, they had apparently discussed remaking him, to start from scratch again and erase what he had lived thus far. At least this way, Adam would be able to keep himself, and then he could fulfil the duties he was made for – all the troubles he had before would be solved; Michael wouldn’t lose him, not in that way anyway… The logical part of his mind agreed to this trail of thoughts, but all he could feel right now was the tearing of his heart as it cried out for it not to be abandoned. 

Deep in his confliction, Michael kept his steady pacing, his surroundings a chaotic blur the details of which swiftly passed by him. And before he even knew it, he had crashed into someone, nearly stepping over them with his distracted pacing.

“Oof!”

“Ah! I’m sorry, I wasn’t– Oh, it’s you, Lucifer,” Michael said as he helped his smaller brother off the ground.

“Perfect, I was just looking for you.” Lucifer easily took the offered help, brushing some of the dirt off his robe as he got off the ground. “For someone who looks so prettily braided up, you sure look quite sour,” he said pointing at the colourful flowers and shining pearls interlaced with the braids on Michael’s wavy hair. 

“Huh?” Michael felt around his hair, and Lucifer wasn’t lying, he still had his hair all decorated up by Adam when he visited him this afternoon in the garden. He hoped the others hadn’t noticed it, or if they had, he hoped they didn’t find it a little too odd for him to have.

“Can we have a chat? To catch up and all,” suggested Lucifer, his eyes shifting left and right as he looked around, a knowing tilt of his head. 

“Yes, um, we can talk at my place.” Michael began to walk towards a certain direction only for Lucifer to grab a hold of his arm, quickly stopping him.

Lucifer gave him a slightly concerned look, though the slight upturn of his lips told of the amusement he was feeling. “You do know your place is in the opposite direction, right?”

“Right, right,” Michael nodded as he changed direction, slapping himself mentally for being so absent minded. 

“I think I’ll lead the way this time,” Lucifer offered, walking ahead of Michael.

“Please do…”

Eventually, the two brothers made their way to Michael’s place, shutting the door firmly behind them. Lucifer looked around the living room, it was as neat as ever although there were some eye catching additions, hand-made human additions. Little trinkets from what Lucifer could only assume came from the garden littered the walls, the shelves, cabinets and table of Michael’s place. Everywhere he looked, there were little pieces of Adam scattered about the place, lightly sparkling as they gave the place a little more colour, fitting like perfect puzzle pieces that complemented Michael’s home.

Speaking of decor…Lucifer eyed the still present adornments all over Michael’s intricately braided hair. 

“So, I guess your little escapade has been fun?” he asked with a playfully sing-song tone, which he used to mask the petty envy he felt when he first saw it. Adam still hadn’t been back to being particularly friendly with him, and here was his brother getting ALL the prettiest things Adam had made so far. He squinted to get a clearer look at all the things that were on Michael’s hair, and were those jade vine flowers and ghost orchids so delicately braided on his hair?? Where and how did Adam even manage to find so many of them? He was sure those plants were quite difficult to find. 

“Yes, it was quite the touching reunion,” Michael answered with a distantly happy look sparkling in his eyes. “And– um, Lucifer, you’re staring a little too intensely,” he awkwardly pointed out, turning around to see if something else had caught his brother’s attention.

Lucifer lightly poked and picked at the opalescent pearls and vibrant flowers that were intertwined in the braids of his brother’s hair. “Even when we were still best friends I never got such special treatment…” he pouted childishly. 

“I suppose he did come to like me quite easily, huh,” Michael mused aloud. “But I’m sure after knowing of your involvement in my sneaking into the garden, he might be more inclined to be nicer to you,” he added with a reassuring smile.

“Wait, you told him?” asked Lucifer, noticeably brightening up.

“Of course, I give credit when credit is due,” answered Michael. “Plus, I think he could really use a friend especially now that my movement has been limited,” he continued, though his tone had become noticeably darker.

“It sounds like you’re implying something bad has happened…” Lucifer wondered a little anxiously. 

Michael couldn’t help the tired sigh that escaped from his lips, “It’s– It’s just– They made a second woman to become Adam’s wife.”

“What?” The world around Lucifer suddenly became muted as the words sank into his mind. A new woman? Did they–? Lucifer gasped loudly, panic laced heavily in his voice as he grasped Michael’s shoulders, ruby reds staring pleadingly into deep blues. “Did they replace Lilith?! What– Is she okay?!” He didn’t know what he would do if he found out that his beloved had been erased just like that, without him even knowing about it until it was far too late.

“Lucifer, calm down–”

“No! How can I be calm when she could be in danger?!” exclaimed Lucifer as he shook his brother in panic. Suddenly, he let go, all six wings unfurling and ready to take flight. And just as quickly, Michael grabbed his arm and pulled him away from both the window and the door. 

“Lucifer, Lilith is unharmed and fine, calm down!” There was no need to further call attention to Michael and his private space, Heaven was already rather tight with him, he didn’t need this balance he had made for himself ruined by his reckless brother. 

Lucifer looked back on his brother, tears pricking his eyes from the worry and fear he felt for his precious Lily. “Why didn't you tell me that first?!”

There were times where Michael thought his supposedly older brother was a bit too much, even for him. Passion was a good thing. Passion for things you did was even better; it would make your ideas and creations all the more better if made with love. Lucifer had plenty of creativity and with it passion, and Michael had never really wanted to quell his brother’s passion, but sometimes he needed someone to reign him in and not just because Heaven didn’t like it, but also because it was reckless, and as much as Michael didn’t like saying it, rather stupid too. In short, Lucifer could be rather passionately reckless and this was one of those moments. Michael could feel the dull and dense sensation that formed in his head whenever Lucifer was being hasty and careless. He loved his brother, really, he did, but…wow. 

Michael pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a calming breath before answering, “You didn’t even let me finish talking… Anyway, Lilith is fine. Adam told me that while she didn’t seem to like Eve, the second woman, at first, they appeared to have gotten along better at the end of the day.”

Slowly, Lucifer folded his wings back as his nerves calmed down one by one at Michael’s reassurance. “Oh,” was all Lucifer said, his panicked voice now deflated. But then vigour suddenly came rushing back, though not as horribly as earlier. “Wait– Then what about you and Adam??” He gasped even louder, “Will they make Lilith another husband too?!”

Michael simply pulled a once again panicked Lucifer away from any openings of his house, pushing him to sit and remain seated on the couch. “Sit down and calm down first,” he sighed.

“Eve? Lilith?” Adam called out as he wandered about the place where they had agreed to meet up for the night. The stars had begun to peek out from the dark sky and the two women were still nowhere to be found. He knew that the garden was safe, that there was nothing that could harm them here, but still, he couldn’t help but worry for them, especially for Eve, it was only her first day. 

Sitting anxiously on the grass with all the food he had gathered for the two women, in case they were hungry when they did come back, Adam picked at the grass and dandelions that were near him, playing with them between his fingers. What was taking them so long? Should he look for them? But what if they did finally arrive and he wasn’t there? Adam quietly battled with his thoughts, plucking the petals off the yellow dandelion one by one to help him with his choices. The last plucked petal suggested to him that he should go and find them, and so he got up to go. But as soon as he had decided on a direction to follow, the two women appeared out of the tree line, seemingly in a friendly chat. 

“Eve! Lilith!” Adam called out, waving at them as he made his way towards them in quick, wide strides. 

The two women looked at the first man approaching them with Lilith walking ahead of Eve to meet Adam halfway. Her strides as composed and confident as the woman usually was; Eve, on the hand, seemed to be a little less energetic than she was when Adam last saw her as she followed quietly behind Lilith, a small smile on her lips as she waved back at Adam.

“Sorry we’re a little late,” Lilith casually apologised when she got close enough to Adam. 

“Where were you guys?” asked Adam, looking behind Lilith towards Eve. 

“Oh, just exploring and talking,” Lilith offhandedly explained as she continued past Adam when she noticed the little set up of food he made for them. “Oh good, we hadn’t had dinner yet.”

When Eve finally made her way towards Adam, he couldn’t help but notice her much more muted demeanour, sure her lovely smile was still there, but she wasn’t as explosive as she was earlier. Adam placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, concern shining in his eyes as he looked her over. 

“Are you okay, Eve?” he asked. “You seem a little down.”

Eve gave Adam a reassuring smile as she placed her hand over his own, “Just a little tired. We did so much today after all.”

Adam wanted to ask more but Lilith’s voice nearby calling for them both to join her dinner interrupted him. He would simply have to ask again later, just so he could ease his concerns. Today had been a rather eventful day after all; first he woke up to apparently having a second wife, Lilith stumbling upon Eve and not taking the news well, and then Michael visiting him earlier. His mind had been thinking and running non-stop all day, his emotions tossed all over place. Right, he would take it a little easy for now, and just ask later, he decided as he made his way over to join Lilith with Eve in tow beside him.

Lilith pulled Adam to the side when Eve briefly left to do her business in the bushes. “Still not a fan of her,” she whispered, squinting slightly into the distance where Eve had disappeared into the trees. 

A confused frown and furrowed brows formed on Adam’s face, his confusion obviously displayed on his face at Lilith’s admission. “Why not? She’s been nothing but nice so far,” he asked, giving her a judging look. “And you’re not particularly nice.”

An amused snort left Lilith, “I’m nice when need be.” She leaned in even closer as if to tell a secret, her purple eyes almost glowing coolly in the dark night. “Eve’s too much of a Heaven’s dog, possibly more than you were before. Even when I told her of your situation with a certain angel.”

“You what?!” Adam asked aloud as he pulled away from Lilith, shocked at what she just told him. “You can’t just–!”

“Oh calm down, it’s not like Heaven doesn’t know,” Lilith brushed his concerns away with a wave of her hand. “I was just trying to pry her off of this humanity project Heaven had set us up for. You know, crush whatever delusions they inserted in her mind before it even has a chance to grow.”

“I’d appreciate it if you don’t do that again though, Lilith,” Adam argued. “My business is my own. I would’ve told her eventually.”

“And this is why things happen so agonisingly slow with you,” Lilith argued back, a little annoyed at what she perceived as Adam’s passiveness. What was the harm in fixing a problem before it would start festering? She didn’t need Heaven thinking that Eve was a successful solution to their Eden project, for her sake at least. “Anyway, she’s nice alright, but too obedient to Heaven. I don’t like it.”

“It’s only her first day, Lilith. Give her some time,” Adam reasoned, though Lilith’s sour expression told him that she wasn’t fully convinced. 

Lilith rolled her eyes at Adam’s naive positivity, “Let’s hope she won’t take as long as you did to change her mind.” Then she pushed herself away from Adam and resumed her previous nonchalant position from earlier once she noticed Eve come back out from the trees, giving her a friendly little wave. 

Adam looked on as Lilith swiftly and easily eased her demeanour into a completely new one, a chilling shiver going down his spine as right then and there, he understood how he was completely blind to her affair with Lucifer before. The woman was terrifyingly adept at adapting as necessary to various situations – easily donning a new face when needed.

Chapter Text

The day’s light had faded from the sky, a dark blue blanket peppered with twinkling glitters replaced the morning’s soft blue, the air gradually losing the warmth it had gathered throughout the day, animals from small insects to large elephants one by one heading towards their resting places. The night was calling for everyone’s rest, and along with the other animals, the three humans of the garden heeded its call. After a short, quiet stroll, Lilith had parted ways from both Adam and Eve, waving them both goodbye, wishing them a restful night and to see them again tomorrow. 

Eve followed Adam back to the cave where they first met, not yet having a place to call her own and with the first man not pushing her away. The chirping of the crickets echoed in the still cool air, a hoot or two from a wide eyed owl perched comfortably on a tree in the distance, the whispering of the leaves amongst themselves as the night breeze flew by them. The walk back to their currently shared space was filled by the sounds of the night, and yet a troubled silence sat between the two humans. The second woman, Eve, kept her gaze towards the ground, her eyes flitting back and forth as she walked along the dirt path, mindlessly taking notice of an oddly shaped pebble or a random weed flower growing between cracked rocks. And while they haven’t even known each other for a day, Adam had taken notice of the change in her behaviour; her carefree cheerfulness from the morning transformed into disquieting contemplation. 

“Eve,” Adam started as he placed a soft hand on the woman’s shoulder, putting a pause on her tracks. “I can tell you have a lot on your mind.”

The woman looked up from the ground to him, blinking slowly at him as if not registering the words said to her before letting out a silent gasp once clarity returned to her. “Oh! Um, it’s nothing really…Just some, um, uncertainties…”

Adam ahead of her, his concern and worry for her displayed openly in the way his brows crinkled slightly, his plush lips downturned just a little bit, his eyes looking so beautifully soft under the moonlight. It was a little unfair, Eve thought, for her to have been given such a flawless partner and yet, it seemed it couldn’t be. From his words to his previous partner – it appeared that his heart had no more space for her. The first woman’s words echoed in her mind, Lilith’s voice a sharp and freezing truth. 

“This all seems rather unnecessary, don’t you think?”

Unnecessary. The word stung deeply in Eve’s newly made flesh, burrowing itself deep to fester through the years. No matter how much she wanted to deny it, Lilith had a point. Adam already had someone, someone else had already claimed all of the affections of his heart, and worse yet, that someone was an angel. Yes, she believed that humans were created as God had intended them to be, perfect in their own way, but how could she even hope to compete against, and even more impossible, replace the angel’s spot? 

A day hadn’t even passed since Eve took her first breath, and yet she could already feel her purpose crumbling and slipping between her fingers, unable to piece and hold them together. She felt…unnecessary.

“Eve?” Adam waved a hand in front of her, dragging her out of her whirlpool of thoughts. “You can tell me what’s been bothering you, and maybe I can help. I am your guide after all.”

Eve opened her mouth then closed them again wordlessly, hesitating on which words to say, or more like, not knowing how to phrase what had been bothering her. She knew they weren’t ‘good’ feelings, but she wasn’t yet fully sure what this sensation was, the words slipping away from her tongue. So instead, she remained quiet and still, contemplating and choosing the words she thought would best articulate the murky mess swirling within her. She looked up at Adam, a profound sadness in her wide eyes unfit and unbefitting for someone so fresh to existence, the shadows of her thick lashes further dimming the light of her eyes. 

“I…Adam, I– What purpose do I have now?” Eve finally wondered aloud, her voice in tiny cracks of uncertainty, a deafening quietness in the stillness of the night. 

Under the night sky, the ethereal light of the moon draped over their figures, looking so miniscule in the vast expanse of the darkness of the night, the humans felt the burden of their existence handed to them by divine beings so far out of reach. Questions of meaning and purpose hang heavily in the air, both of them lost in it but in different ways. Eve needed, wanted a guide – a leash to lead the way and tell her what to do; while Adam was on the cusp of cutting his own, to stray from the path given to him and wander into the forest unknown. 

A moment of silence remained between the two of them as Adam took in Eve’s words, wondering how he should answer her. Should he answer honestly and possibly lead her astray from what Heaven had planned for her? Or should he tell her to remain faithful, to await further instructions from Heaven, knowing that wasn’t what he wanted for her? Would it be cruelty to share the growing burden that were his recent thoughts about their roles, or was it the other way around? Adam didn’t know, but what he did know was that he always remained true to his feelings. 

And so, with some carefully chosen words, he answered Eve, “I’m sure you’re more than just a wife to be created for me. Follow what you want to lead you, Eve.”

While his words were directed at Eve, the echoes of his advice clung to his mind, a silent affirmation of his newfound feelings.

Before Adam knew it, golden rays began peeking into the cave he had turned into his private space and there he was, freshly awake on his soft bed of leaves with a new friend to share it with huddled beside him. Wild locks of red hair covered most of his face, while limbs were draped comfortably over him. One by one, with slow, careful movements, Adam lifted Eve’s arm around him as he slipped away from her to get the day starting. She shuffled slightly, seemingly awakening from the mild disturbance before muttering something incomprehensible then suddenly gripping the space beside her, snuggling deeper into the bed. He decided then, after gathering breakfast for the both of them, he was going to look for and gather the materials he needed to make her a new bed. 

The crisp morning air breathed freshness into Adam’s lungs, the gentle light of the early day a tender warmth on his skin; days were always perfect in Eden, but ever since his angel’s visit yesterday, somehow, perfection got even more perfect. It was as if the sun was more tender with its golden kisses, the wind more loving with their invisible embrace, the grass more lively with their green cheer. Though of course, things could be even better if only Michael was allowed back in to freely roam the garden with him, that, or if he could somehow go to his angel himself…

Three sets of wings descended from the pale blue sky, fluttering lightly in the morning’s warming air. Though they weren’t of the colour Adam had hoped to see once more, he did want to see the owner of these wings again, and possibly amend some things between them. 

Adam approached the lithe figure descending from the sky, waving a hand in the air to get their attention. “Lucifer!”

The angel paused in his tracks, bewilderment evident in the way he hovered a little aimlessly in the air before making his way towards the human who called for his attention. It had been so long since Adam himself had called for Lucifer, and while he was confused at the sudden change, a part of him was also happy at the notion of a hopeful mending of their friendship. And as much as he wanted to rush over to Adam and hug his friend, he instead landed just a few feet from the first man, after having learned to ensure to give him some space if he needed it, not wishing to mess things up more than he already did.

“Hi Adam!” Lucifer greeted with a cheerful chirp, but then quickly pulled himself back. Was he being too loud? It was still early in the morning. “I mean– Good morning! Uh, can I help you with something..?”

Adam couldn’t help the small smile that formed on his lips at seeing the angel act so awkwardly. It was still Lucifer alright, despite all the things that happened between the two of them, the person in front of him was still the friend he remembered having before, the friend he missed quite dearly. 

“Since when did you become so formal?” asked Adam as he walked a little closer to the small angel. 

“I, uh, well since– I thought you wouldn’t want me to, you know,” Lucifer rambled on, his fingers uncomfortably fiddling with his robes as he tried horribly to articulate the words he wanted to say. “Um…”

“Thanks for giving me space,” said Adam before looking around briefly and leaning closer to Lucifer, whispering, “Also thanks for helping Michael sneak into the garden.”

“O-oh, no problem! Anytime!” replied Lucifer. “Really, it’s the least I can do after…everything…” he continued, looking down ashamed at the ground, feeling the weight of his past actions pushing down on his shoulders. 

“And I appreciate it, all of your efforts.” Adam reached for one of Lucifer’s hands, holding it gently in between his as he looked the small angel in the eyes, a pool of sincerity in his golden sight. “And I…I’m also sorry for, um, resenting you when Michael got banished. It wasn’t right for me to do that, you had no choice…”

“Oh, no Adam you don’t have to–”

“Nono, I want to make things right between us again,” Adam interrupted. “I just miss my best friend. Can we…be friends again?”

“Of course!!” Lucifer jumped in joy before pulling Adam into a tight hug; to have been given this chance, a start over he never thought would happen. Then, just as suddenly, he let go of his tight hold on the taller human, realising he might once again be acting a little rash. “Oop, sorry–!”

This time, it was Adam who pulled him back into the hug, a nostalgic warmth spreading from the human’s bare skin, seeping into Lucifer’s loose robes and into his own pale skin. The sensations from a not so distant past coming back to him in a rush – the familiar embrace of a dear friend. Tears began to well up in Lucifer’s eyes, the blooming relief and joy in his chest a little too much for his tiny frame to withhold. Maybe some things could be fixed after all…

A few days had passed since the surprise that was Eve’s creation, and oddly enough, the days had been rather peaceful. Lilith, while still not fully accepting of Eve’s existence, was at least courteous enough with the second woman, though occasionally, her words were stinging truths and realities directed towards Eve and Heaven. But other than that, the two women seemed to get along well enough, respecting each others’ boundaries (most of the time), with Lilith even offering to teach Eve some ‘lady stuff’ whatever that meant. 

On the other hand, Adam and Lucifer’s friendship had been steadily mending and reforming itself in the last few days, with the two even beginning to play together once more. Michael had been able to regularly sneak into the garden and visit Adam every afternoon, though he could never stay long enough. In short, everything had been going quite well recently, even Heaven hadn’t been bothering them as of late, at least not in any way that Adam knew of.

Adam released a deep and tired sigh as he brushed the horses gathered and queued up all around him in the wide green pastures of the garden as he awaited the arrival of a certain pale golden horse. Just the thought of Heaven returning to meddle in the garden’s affairs dampened his mood. He just knew that eventually, they would come flying down the garden asking about him and Eve. And what should he say then, once that time does arrive? Lie and possibly affect Lilith in ways neither of them wanted to happen? Be more honest and admit he never wanted a second wife, further damaging and sinking Eve’s self-esteem, to pull her deeper into her confusion? It seemed that no matter which action he would decide to take, whenever Heaven was involved, would always cause some sort of grievance onto others. 

He mindlessly brushed the horse’s hair in front of him, hands in automatic back and forth movements as he allowed his thoughts to wander into territories he was sure Heaven would never approve of. The late afternoon sun had sunk down low enough and at just the right angle for its fading rays to hit directly onto Adam’s eyes, blinding him momentarily while he shifted his position to avoid the light. That was when he noticed that he had been brushing the horses for quite some time now, the day was fast fading, and yet, Michael was still nowhere to be found. Adam stood on the tips of his toes, eyes thoroughly scanning and searching for a particularly beautiful horse amongst the crowd that had gathered around him. And yet, despite how meticulously he scoured the area, there was no sign of Michael within the crowd. Did he miscount the days? Were they supposed to meet tomorrow instead?

Light fluttering of wings sounded near him, and when Adam turned around, a small blue bird landed and perched on his shoulder. It looked a little familiar, he thought, if the little specks of gold around its face were of any indication. Just as he was about to pet the little bird, a sudden poof of a shimmery blue cloud erupted from the little bird, and what used to be a light, almost imperceptible weight on his shoulder suddenly became something a little heavier as long white feathers stretched out from the cloud of glitter and something much larger than the little bird fell off his shoulder, flopping onto the ground with a surprised caw. 

There on the grass beside Adam, having fallen off his shoulders, was a large pale peacock with beautifully long white feathers shining almost golden under the sinking sun sprawled messily around. It was a stunningly beautiful bird, and one that was absolutely out of place in the meadow. Adam crouched down towards the bird, and sure enough, this one also had little gold stars around its face. 

“Well hello there,” Adam greeted, a playful smile on his lips as he lightly poked at the bird’s crested head, scratching it once or twice. “I haven’t seen you around.”

“I wanted to go subtle, so that I could wander the garden with you a little more freely,” Michael admitted deflatedly. 

“Hmm, I’m not sure this ,” Adam gestured at the long shiny feathers sprawled all over the ground, “is subtle in any way.”

Somehow, Michael managed to become flatter on the ground as if trying to merge into the grass as he let out a defeated sigh. It seemed that shifting into smaller animals was still a bit of a challenge for him to take on. How did Lucifer manage to do it each and every time without even an ounce of an effort? It was baffling.

“Well,” Adam continued, picking up Michael and cradling him in his arms. “At least you’re still very pretty.”

A single compliment and Michael’s mood was quickly dug out of the ground he was trying to sink into, his feathers puffing up and the urge to open his tail feathers to further impress his human coming up. Though, of course, he held back, he had to be subtle after all.

Chapter Text

Eden’s late afternoon sun shone over the vast green meadows of the garden, blanketing everything it touched in soft golden hues. The cooling breeze danced past the tall grasses, dragging them along in their merrymaking in the form of gentle sways and soft whistles. The horses had already begun heading back to their night time shelters with the exception of one particular pale gold horse, comfortably lying his head on the first man’s lap enjoying the sensations of his hair being groomed. Intricate braids adorned with flowers, glittering stones and iridescent pearls were meticulously made in his golden waves. Today, Michael had decided to stick to what he was confident at shifting into, a horse. While Adam had apparently loved his feathers when he unconsciously displayed his train to the human, the pale feathers shimmering almost gold under the late sun, his attempt to shift into a smaller animal was, admittedly, a little reckless on his part, to try something new which he didn’t have much of a skill in. So, a horse it was, for the time being. Besides, it seemed that Adam enjoyed grooming this form regardless, and he would get to keep the braids and decorations his beloved had done on his hair once he had to return to Heaven, so it wasn’t all bad despite his large form. 

Michael closed his eyes, simply enjoying the tranquility the garden offered, the gentle warmth of the sun on his body, the soft caress of the meadow breeze, but most importantly, the sweet melody of Adam's singing that soothed the heavy ails of his heart that built up whenever he had leave his human in the garden. It would be nice, if they could go back to how things used to be, when he could freely visit Adam without the need for secrecy. Even better would be if, somehow, he didn’t need to ‘visit’ Adam, where they could simply just…be together whenever they wanted. He felt extremely foolish now, for having rejected Adam the first time, too afraid to break Heaven’s rules, and yet, here he was now, breaking them almost daily just to be with the first man, even for just a small fraction of the day.

The sweet melody slowly faded into silence as did the nimble fingers grooming his mane come to a halt. Michael opened his eyes to determine the remaining sunlight, was it time for him to leave for Heaven? It seemed not. The skies still had some blue in them amongst the increasing gold, and the birds were only beginning to head back to their nests. Then what? Michael took a glance at Adam curious as to what might have caught his human’s interest, only to see him looking far away in the distance, a certain kind of longing in his eyes.

It was as if Adam was transfixed by a distant wish as his eyes gazed towards the far edges of the garden, watching the birds fly higher above the boundaries of the garden, seemingly free to go wherever they pleased. 

A defeated sigh escaped Adam’s lips, his gaze weighed down by dejection, “I wish I could fly.”

“Hmm? Why the sudden thought?” Michael asked as he placed his head back down on Adam’s lap while keeping his gaze towards Adam. 

Adam tore his eyes away from the seemingly ever expanding sky to look back down towards his angel, or well, his pretty horse. His hands continue to brush and groom Michael’s mane, though this time, there was a hint of a nervous tremble in them. Another sigh escaped from him as his gaze shifted away from Michael’s. 

“Promise to keep this between us?”

Another request for secrecy. The only two instances the human had requested for secrecy with that certain look of insistence on his face, it was of an important and delicate matter. Michael couldn’t help the anxiety beginning to simmer inside of him. Still, he nodded his head in promise. He was the only one his love could truly rely on, his most loyal confidant, and he was not about to deny Adam that.

“I just…recently, I’ve been having this, um, wish to be able to fly over the garden and then maybe…” Adam turned his head even further away as if afraid of the next words he was about to say. “...just see what was beyond the garden with you…”

Oh. Oh no. Those were dangerous waters to wade through, something that Michael should most definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, discourage from developing any further. Not only would this be an unforgivable crime against God’s plans and Heaven, the world beyond the garden was also not yet suitable for such fragile beings like Adam; Michael knew of the vicious creatures that lurked outside the protection of the garden; that had been his main duty since his relegation, to send beastly monstrosities and creatures too unstable and unfit for earth to distant realms, their clutches far and away from humanity.

Michael brought his gaze down towards the ground, boring particularly at nothing as he thought hard and careful about how he might respond to Adam’s admission. 

“Adam, that’s…” he started slowly. “...those kinds of thoughts could lead you to danger.”

“It was just thought…nevermind,” Adam sighed dejectedly as his hands came to stop atop Michael’s hair, his shoulders slumping down weighed down by disappointment. 

“Adam, I do want to be with you,” Michael clarified, the blues of his eyes shining with sincerity. “But I don’t want to lead you to your harm.”

Michael wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he were to ever cause any harm to Adam. His visits to the garden had taught him how truly fragile humans, that along with Adam’s gentle nature, the untamed life outside the garden would be far too dangerous for the human. At the very least, if Michael could only quickly clean up the earth of its dangers, then perhaps life outside wouldn’t be too harsh. However, that wasn’t even his main concern, it was Heaven. There was simply no way Heaven would easily allow Adam to escape his duties in the garden as the proposed father of humanity. 

“But you’d be there for me, wouldn’t you?” asked Adam.

“Always.”

“Then why not?” Adam asked once more, pain and confusion in his eyes as he directed his gaze back towards Michael.

“Because Heaven would never allow it,” Michael answered decidedly. “At least not without any consequences. And I’m not sure I want to risk that…”

Adam’s gaze drooped even further down, weighed down by disappointment as he stared at nothing in particular. He just wanted to feel the wind in his hair, his body light and unburdened, to be as carefree as the flying creatures of the garden.

“Do you remember when you first took me flying?” Adam asked. “You flew so quickly and so high up that I was actually scared at the start.”

Michael snapped his head towards Adam, “Wait, really? Why didn’t you tell me?”

A nostalgic smile slowly adorned Adam’s lips, his eyes gold with happy memories, as his hands continued their grooming of Michael’s mane. “Because I quickly got over it. I’ve never been brought so high up before, and everything from that point was just…breathtaking. Seeing the garden in such a new way, even finding new places.”

“I can take you flying again, if you want,” Michael suddenly offered as he began to get up from Adam’s lap. 

Adam remained seated on the ground, head tilted to the side, looking at Michael as if the angel had suddenly grown two heads. He took a quick glance over at Michael’s back, and sure enough, there was a notable lack of wings. 

“Um…”

A soft nicker escaped from Michael as he turned his back to Adam and crouched down. “It’s a different kind of flying.”

Curiosity was a trait that the humans of the garden of paradise were all gifted with, to explore, to experience, to discover, to create all these new things and ideas that their world offered them. The prospect of experiencing something new grabbed Adam’s attention as sudden and quick as the winds that flew by him up in the skies, and just as quickly, he got up from his spot, eagerly climbing onto Michael’s back, his eyes shining a wondrous gold. 

“Alright, hold on tight,” Michael said as he stood back up to his full height and began to trot, slowly gaining speed to allow Adam time to settle on his back. 

At Michael’s suggestion, Adam held onto Michael’s mane and leaned forward as he felt the wind rushing faster by him by the second. And soon enough, he began to feel the distantly familiar sensation of the winds dancing past his hair, its coolness a quick and chaste kiss on his face. The landscapes around him whooshing past them in a speedy blur, changing every couple of minutes from the wide lush greens of the meadows to the warm sea of yellows of the safaris to the shaded towering browns of the forests. The residents of each landscape momentarily joined them in their race against the wind; the big cats playfully competing against them as they raced alongside them, the birds simply happy to tag along their journey as they sang a merry tune in the winds, the horses of the meadows enjoying the cooling afternoon breeze as they rode under the yellowing sky. The miracles of the world all around him swiftly ran past Adam, and yet, he took it all in all the same, its beauty a fulfilling warmth in his heart. A glimpse of what true paradise was like. 

Once more, Adam felt that freeing sensation, in his hair, in his skin, in his soul. It was as if he was back there, flying up so high in the skies with Michael, away from the troubles that had been shackling him to the ground. 

Eventually, they slowed their race against the winds, and a different kind of breeze welcomed them. A briny, crisp smell greeted their senses, the hum of softly rolling waves as they crawled gently towards the shore, its strength dormant for the time being. The orange sun was beginning to kiss the horizon, the point where they touched a fiery gold that gilded the gentle sandy slopes of the beach. They were on that same beach, where this had begun. 

“We never really got to cherish the moment,” Michael mused, his gaze distant, simultaneously looking at the sun slowly sinking into the sea but also not. The blues of his eyes were a mixed shade of longing and regret. If only he hadn’t taken so long to untangle his feelings, if only he hadn’t been so reckless; things might’ve gone on a different path. Would the situation have been better then? He wouldn’t ever know, but what he did now know was that moments like these were to be held onto carefully, to cherish them to the fullest. And in the end, only hope that regret would not come by to collect its dues. 

Michael tore his gaze from the horizon and instead set upon someone more precious, his beloved human. A small comfort nestled deep within him as he felt Adam’s presence so close to him, the heat of their bodies intermingling with each other into one shared warmth. At the very least, they were still together despite the obstacles they had to sneak by. 

“No we didn’t, huh?” Adam agreed, his gaze fixated on the far reaching golden rays of the setting sun before lowering them to meet the most beautiful blues he ever had the grace to look upon. And just like the golden sun meeting the blue sea, Adam and Michael held each other's gaze, no words needed to be spoken aloud between them as the way their eyes shine for each other was more than enough, something even words couldn’t properly convey. 

Adam leaned forward and down onto Michael’s neck, snuggling into his mane, with the angel responding in kind, as he cherished the peaceful moment they had; the relaxing hum of the waves, the gentle caress of the salty breeze, the loving kiss of the setting sun, the soothing warmth of the one who owned his heart. 

“Then let’s cherish this one.”

Chapter Text

Under the guise of a darkening sky, the golden horse that was accompanying Adam slipped into the forest far away from the human, where a faint shimmering blue light soon quietly joined the skies. Up and far away from the garden like the unreachable stars that resided in Heaven. It was yet another day Adam couldn’t be together with his beloved freely. Another day of sneaking around, spending a restricted amount of time together. Another day of straying far away from God’s plan for him. And while those days increased in number, the guilt that used to weigh like an immovable boulder that sat on my chest gradually felt lighter and lighter; losing more mass as the days went on. Now there was only anxiety and fear keeping him where he was as Michael’s precautionary words regarding Heaven and the consequences they could face dampened the steady flame within his heart a little.

Still, while he took his angel’s words into consideration, it wasn’t enough to fully extinguish his recent growing desires for something more, something…beyond what was allowed of him.

The purple skies that enshrouded the garden looked as idyllic as ever as glistening stars began to peek their way through the thin clouds and the moon made its slow entrance towards the centre stage. The beach before Adam, even in the dimming light, had a beauty of its own. Transformed by the blanket of the night’s dimness into a place of isolated serenity as if an entirely new world on its own. The forest behind him, Adam could hear its whispered lullabies, once lush and lively during the day, now a soothing cot for the critters of the garden. The beauty, the safety, prosperity wherever one would look. Everywhere, from the small hidden worlds to the big spaces in its sky, the garden of Eden was, without a doubt, the perfect paradise. 

However, despite all that. All that colour. All that lustrous beauty around him. Everything. Absolutely everything. Had begun to look dull and meaningless to him. Without his angel, without Michael to shine light into his life, the garden simply looked grey to him. It was as if the angel had peeled the glossy painting that covered the garden, and now, Adam truly saw where he was. And then suddenly, he no longer felt like he belonged. All the animals, from the fishes to the birds to the four legged animals. They all happily fit into their roles without any complaint, content and fulfillment filling them. Adam used to have Lilith to share that fulfillment with, but now she had Lucifer, and together they remain. Heaven had given him Eve hoping to perhaps fill the void. And as beautiful as Eve was, she just wasn’t meant for him as he wasn’t meant for her, at least not this time, for her arrival was a little too late to change anything. Adam had already chosen for himself.

A sigh deep from within, echoing the burden Adam carried within himself, was released into the stillness of the night. Adam’s quiet wish to…he wasn’t even sure where to send his wishes to anymore, for he knew that Heaven nor God would answer it. 

“Adam?”

A soft voice called out to him from the treeline, sweet and tender with a whisper of sadness behind them. When Adam turned to see who had called for him, he saw a woman standing just a few feet from him. Her wavy red hair danced along to the night breeze’s melancholic song, the softness of her blue eyes was like the surface of a quiet lake. Standing just beyond the treeline, her figure coated in the same darkening purple that enveloped the garden, Eve looked alone. Unbelonging. Like an extra puzzle piece that had nowhere to fit in despite being made for the photo. 

“Was that your angel?” she asked, the softness of her voice as brittle as white dandelions. 

Wordlessly, Adam confirmed with a nod as he made his way closer to the woman. “Let’s head, before it gets darker.”

“The same one who has your affections?” Eve asked again, the blues of her eyes faintly gleaming in the growing dark like stars in the night. 

A pause. And then another. Before Adam finally looked her in the eyes. And within those wide blue eyes, he found no ill will, no malice, no anger of any sort, just a simple desire for confirmation. With another nod, he confirmed to her once more. “He more than just owns my affections. This garden…it’s not a paradise to me without him.”

Eve looked towards the ground, her long lashes casting a gloomy shadow over her eyes as she quietly pondered about Adam’s words for a brief moment. “Hmm. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to fully understand.”

“What do you mean?” 

“I’m not sure you’d like my words,” Eve answered, her voice as soft as the gentle sway of the grass around them. “Having been warned, would you still like to listen to them?”

A little taken aback, the words momentarily got stuck in Adam’s throat. “You– you don’t need to ask for my permission. Just say what you want to say.”

“I’ll take that as permission then,” Eve responded as she tore her gaze from the bare ground and back up to meet Adam’s eyes, golden and bright like fireflies in the dark. “What I meant was that, I understand caring for someone like they are the world to you. That’s what you still are to me, no matter how hard I try to convince myself otherwise. What I don’t understand is how? Wasn’t Lilith your first wife? How were you able to…leave her?”

“I…I didn’t leave her,” Adam answered with a lowered voice laced with dug up sadness and anger. “She…um…”

Lied to him. Betrayed his trust. Played him for a fool. All those pain in the past resurfaced back up to the shore, though this time, they weren’t crashing hard against the cliffs. While a deep scar was definitely left somewhere within him, time had soothed them enough for him not to crumble upon its memories. A darker part of him, the more spiteful one, wanted to divulge Lilith and Lucifer’s infidelity to Eve, to provide the second woman a more accurate picture of the two. However, the more sensible part of himself, told him to keep his words to himself. Eve and Lilith’s friendship was already unsteady, Adam understood that he didn’t need to add more trouble to Eve’s already tumultuous existence. 

“...she just didn’t like me,” Adam said instead. 

“Then I still don’t understand,” Eve admitted, frustration and confusion glooming over her delicate face, drowning the glow she usually had in its murk. “Weren’t you made for each other? How can you just not? I can’t imagine…”

“What do you mean? Sh– we just couldn’t bring ourselves to like each other as more than friends. That’s all there is to it,” Adam reaffirmed, his crinkling slightly in confusion to Eve’s seemingly overt incomprehension. He thought he had explained simply and plainly, what was there not to grasp?

“But didn’t you love each other from the start?” Eve asked, hoping to clarify her nigh palpable confusion. 

“No? We had to learn about  each other first…” The words instantly died in Adam’s throat as a possibly horrific realisation manifested in his head. He glanced down at Eve, her wide blue eyes looking up at his own golden ones in anticipation reminiscent of his when he used to pray to the skies in search of answers. Like a sapling fully dependent on its parent to guide and shelter it from the rain. “Eve…did you– did you already love me when we first met?”

“Of course! Did I not tell you before? I was made to be your wife,” answered Eve with no hesitation, as if it were the obvious thing in the world. 

A deep sadness mixed with disgust and anger churned and burned within the fissure that cracked open from within his depths. All this time, both his and Lilith’s words and advice. They did nothing, meant nothing. All they did was create a thunderstorm of conflict within Eve. For there was no way, no way at all for her to fully grasp the existence of such choice. She was made from Adam’s rib. Created with the sole purpose to be Adam’s companion with no choice in the matter. Eve’s piteous existence, all because Adam and Lilith were not meant to be. It wasn’t fair. At all. 

Adam pulled Eve into a tight hug, the shorter woman letting out a tiny yelp at the suddenness, though she remained in the embrace as Adam poured all of his care and sympathy for her. Tears pricked his eyes at the overwhelming surge of emotions that surged like a whirlpool inside of himself. Sorrow, commiseration, resentment for Eve’s unfair creation. One way or another, Adam couldn’t, no, shouldn’t let things remain as they currently were.

Light footsteps on slightly damp grass approached from behind Adam as he sat against a tree, waiting for the first rays of the day to breach the golds and blue of the horizon. Not many in the garden were awake at this time, save for the few birds who liked to sing their morning songs, the occasional deer who liked the dew on their meals, and the first two humans who agreed to meet up by a tree near where they first woke up in the garden. 

There was a dull thud beside Adam, close but not too close, just enough space for a comfortable conversation. Adam need not turn his gaze away from the slow rising sun about to bring about a new day to know who had approached and sat beside him. After all, he was the one to have called her. 

“Good morning,” Lilith greeted a moment after she took her seat, her voice as silky as her golden hair that flowed in the winds behind her. “It’s rare for you to seek out my presence.”

“I just have something to tell you about Eve,” Adam explained, the golds of his eyes reflecting that of the scene before him. 

“Oh?” Lilith quirked a brow as she gave Adam an amused look, a teasing smile on her pink lips. “Don’t tell me you’ve come to like her as Heaven asked?”

Baffled at such an offending suggestion, Adam swiftly tore his gaze away from the horizon, where the sun was breaching into the morning sky, to give Lilith a disbelieving look. The amused look on the first woman’s face clarified itself to Adam that she was merely joking with him. He, however, had no laughter to offer for her jest, and instead with narrowed eyes, he scoffed, “How ironic, coming from you.”

Lilith’s eyes widened slightly at Adam’s response, surprised that the naive man she once knew could utter such a bitter response, though she quickly recovered her composure. Reverting back to her cool nonchalance, Lilith leaned back, her palm flat against the grass, as she considered the man in front of her directly. “Is this what this is truly about? Have we not moved on from this already?”

A flame flared up in a quick flash within Adam at her dull, wintry tone, dismissive and seemingly bored at the topic at hand. Yes, time had passed since then, but that didn’t mean Adam was completely free from the pain it caused. Regardless, he instantly dampened the flames down, not wishing to fight with Lilith as he remembered his purpose of asking Lilith to meet with him. 

Releasing a sigh from his dampened flame, Adam clarified, “No. Not at all. Like I said, I’m here to tell you something about Eve.”

With a convinced huff, Lilith eased the chill that surrounded her. “What else is wrong with the second woman?”

“Wrong? There’s nothing wrong with her just that–” 

“Less rambling and let’s get to the point Adam,” Lilith coolly called out, having little to no patience for fanciful words that led to nowhere. Normally, she enjoyed a clever back and forth or sentiments expressed in prose, but she could tell from Adam’s expression that he hadn’t called her here to enjoy a colourful conversation painted in beautiful words. For things that appeared important, Lilith preferred not to waste time dancing around the topic. 

“Oh, right, right,” cleared his throat as he shifted slightly on his seat before he regarded Lilith once more, the golds of his eyes seemingly turning from liquid to cold gold. “Last night I realised that Eve might lack the same freedoms as we both do.”

In front of Adam, Lilith remained silent, her face unreadable as his words sank into her. Then, she blinked. The pieces of his implications gradually formed into a conclusion within her mind. “You mean..?”

“I’m not sure to what extent, but yes. There are just some things where she couldn’t perceive a choice existing,” clarified Adam, his expression turning sour as those feelings he felt last night for Eve peeked a little through the surface. 

A bitter laugh escaped from Lilith. The way her amethyst eyes glimmered in darkness expressed the grievances and disgust that she felt stir within her slender form at information divulged to her. For a woman who had always prioritised her own freedom, such a thing was a nightmare that was far too real for her taste. Encroaching far too quick and sudden, sending chilling shivers down her spine. “To think that they’re capable of such a thing…what a nightmare.”

“I don’t understand though,” Adam started, a defeated gloom enshrouding his eyes. “If we’re not perfect to them, why keep us here?”

“I guess we’re still ‘perfect enough’ in their eyes to keep,” Lilith supposed aloud as she closed her eyes, soaking in the fresh rays of the day in hopes that its tender kisses would soothe the fear that was flooding her senses. 

The two remained in relative silence for a few moments, both simply basking under the gentle sun, allowing the cool morning breeze to carry away some of the unpleasant sensations that clung to their skin. After a while, Adam had decided that perhaps he could ask another question, one that had been silently bugging him for a long time now. 

He turned to Lilith, who still had her eyes closed, her pale skin glistening like a jewel under the soft gold of the early morning, her hair flowing like a river of gold. “Can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

With a deep breath, Adam asked, “I just want to know why. Why couldn’t you have just told me that you loved Lucifer instead? Why lie?”

Lilith slowly opened her eyes, its violet hue a stark contrast to the gold that enveloped her entire being. Keeping her gaze directed at the brightening sky, she said, “Remember how you were like then. Would you have accepted my choices anyway? And don’t lie to yourself, you’ve softened up over time.”

It was disheartening to Adam to finally confirm what Lilith truly thought of him back then. Did he really present himself as that kind of person? He would like to think otherwise, he had accepted Lilith’s relationship with Lucifer in the end, hadn’t he? Though, was that more because it had already happened? Something he couldn’t prevent? Maybe. Adam would never know. 

The woman in front of Adam kept her gaze straight towards the horizon, resilient and abiding to her own principles. Unwilling to tear her sights off the things she coveted. Adam, in turn, also turned his gaze away from her, instead opting to look down the damp grass that cushioned him. Playing with the green blades between his fingertips, he supposed he and Lilith were just never meant to meet eye to eye.

“...it would’ve hurt me less…”

Chapter Text

Lilith’s silence echoed loudly within Adam’s mind as he made his way back to the cave he shared with Eve, carrying along with him a basket of fruits to share for when the second woman finally woke up. The sun had risen much higher up in the sky by the time he was close to the cave, its light a little more bright and intense than it was when he finally parted ways with the first woman. Though really, it was more like Adam had decided to pull himself away from the difficult atmosphere he had created by asking Lilith about her reasons for her betrayal of him. When she kept her gaze ahead towards the shining horizon, unwilling to respond anymore to his words, Adam knew then that the conversation was over. She explained her reasons, and he received the answer he had been looking for. Was he hoping for a different answer? Perhaps. Maybe something a little less stinging. But Lilith answered him honestly as he had wanted, and that was something he could accept. 

As he walked along the grass, gradually and slowly thinned out into a dirt path, more animals began to awake from their slumber. Birds began to fly and hop along the branches of trees, carrying seeds to feed their wailing young, a fawn stumbling behind its mother, a family of bears enjoying the cool waters of the river. And accompanying this harmony amongst the animals were lush green flora that happily provided for the animals, whether it be as food, shelter or entertainment. Every flower presented themselves with stunning colours full of pollen for the bees, leafy greens always abundant for the others to munch on, the trees always providing a cover from the sun for those who might need it. Everything, absolutely everything in the garden had a role to fulfil. All pieces of a bigger picture that simply fit together. And this idyllic picture that it painted everyday was paradise - a world of perfection. 

Looking down at the woven basket that Adam was carrying, he noticed that even the fruits, of which he picked everyday, were always in such perfect condition - fresh, ripe and juicy. Never unripe, never rotten, but always exactly what he preferred them to be. Everywhere he looked, everywhere he went, there was perfection. And yet, what Lilith said before rang in his mind as he walked through the perfect paradise.

“I guess we’re still ‘perfect enough’ in their eyes to keep”

Yes, Adam understood that the question he had asked implied their own imperfections, but he hadn’t really thought about it. It was hypothetical, a contradiction to what he felt like what Heaven’s seeming perception of them was. Because clearly, when they first took their breath, the first two humans were described, no, announced as perfect, as God’s greatest creation. But now…

Without even realising it, Adam’s legs had carried him back to the cave whilst his thoughts wandered astray. On the left of the cavern, opposite Adam’s, was Eve’s leafy bed with the second woman still peacefully asleep on it. With light, careful steps, Adam made his way to Eve’s side of the room, dropping the basket of fruits by her bedside. In front of him, the second woman was sound asleep, her bright red hair messily spread about like a wild flaming halo around her head. Her skin was as soft as both Lilith’s and Adam’s, unblemished and beautiful under every light. Her voice was just as melodic as the other two, and she spoke just as well as they did. Everything the first two humans could do, she also was capable of. Everything but seeing choice.

Both Adam and Lilith during their talk this morning agreed that was something that should not be, an erasure of something to be desired, a flaw. Then…was Eve imperfect? Lilith might readily say yes, but Adam wasn’t sure. Because it seemed that it was both him and Lilith that Heaven was dissatisfied with. And that was when Lilith’s words echoed once more in his mind. 

“I guess we’re still ‘perfect enough’ in their eyes to keep”

Were there levels of perfection? An acceptable amount of ‘error’ to be had before they’re no longer considered perfect? It both did and didn’t make sense in Adam’s head, but it seemed that it all depended on how Heaven saw them. A smidge of an idea formed in his head, one that he wasn’t sure he was supposed to entertain. 

And he knew he wasn’t supposed to entertain the idea. He knew that for a fact. Both he and Lilith, and he assumed Eve too, were told to never even think about it, to stay away from it not only physically, but also in mind. But as Adam went about his day – from spending the early parts of the day having breakfast with Eve, to playing around with the animals at noon, and now carving wood into little animal figures – the more the idea grew and festered in his mind. Everything everywhere he looked, from the highest of the skies to deepest of the seas, everything was stagnant in perfection. Everything fit perfectly in the spaces carved for them with no space allowed for them to slip through.

Looking down at the small line of figures both he and Eve carved – a snake, a horse and a bird – Adam thought that even they looked as if they were meant to be made like that, a little rough around the edges with some parts seeming uneven. Then, he glanced back down. On his left hand was a carving of a sheep, its wool round and fluffy, and on his other hand was a sharp stone that he had been using to slice pieces of the wood off. He brought the small stone closer to sheep carving, its sharp edge barely touching the neck. His eyes focused on the wool around its neck, all he needed was a few more swift cuts to thin it out a little and then he would be done with this piece. And so, with carefully controlled hands and eyes trained on that one spot, Adam pushed the stone against the wood.

Something light and round rolled down his arm and leg and fell with a light thud onto the grass. Staring back at Adam was the wooden sheep’s dull eyes, and in his hand was a ruined piece.

“Adam?” asked Eve when she noticed that the man seemed to have frozen on the spot, golden eyes impassive as it trained itself towards something on the ground. When she received no response, Eve gently placed her own wooden carving and sharpened stone to the side as she leaned to the side and waved a hand in front of Adam’s face. After a couple of swings, the first man’s eyes seemed to finally follow the motions of her hands and then eventually focused on her. “Are you okay?”

“I ruined the sheep,” Adam said, his voice low and quiet unlike anything Eve had ever heard from him before. And yet, the golds of his eyes appeared to shine with both acceptance and relief, like a sort of happy revelation. He picked up the wooden head off the ground, rolling it idly between his fingertips before fitting it back to its body. And sure enough, once he let go of its head, it tumbled back down onto the grass. “I guess I’ll have to throw this one away.”

The winds were rolling gently over the tall grass, sending rhythmic waves throughout the entire field of yellows and greens. The day was once more reaching its end as the sun began its golden descent towards the horizon. It was within these precious few hours that Adam would be able to reconnect with his beloved in secret.

The horses were once more gathered around him in large crowds, though all of them simply remained standing as they either chewed on the grass or kept their eyes on the horizon. In a way, it was as if the horses were forming a barrier, a cover of some sort for the two lovers who were sitting under the yellow leaves of a lone tree. The whistling of the fast breeze, the rustling dance of the tall grass, along with the busy neighs and nickers amongst the wild horses drowned out the words and whispers exchanged between the first man and his angel.

“But it does make sense, does it not?” asked Adam as he looked at Michael with earnest eyes, his lips pulled slightly down. 

Michael, as usual, had his head resting upon the first man’s lap, though his eyes were purposely averting away from Adam, afraid to look at the expression he was causing on the human’s face. Almost everyday, a certain topic would always rise within their conversations. And as more time passed, Adam’s conviction only grew stronger, his stubbornness increasing in intensity as he asked more and more questions and suggested even more ‘solutions’ to them. Even more concerning for Michael was that each solution suggested only became increasingly dangerous and forbidden as he countered each one with reasons of his own. But no matter what he said, no matter how carefully he explained the possible consequences would be, Adam refused to let up. 

With a resigned sigh, Michael finally took a glance back at the human, and even though the way those golden eyes shone with an earnest plea for understanding tugged at his heart, his own principles remained steadfast. “I told you that they will simply remake you then. They can easily do it Adam, they’ve discussed it before. And then…I’d lose you forever. Please, let’s just move on from this.”

The falling of Michael’s gaze towards the ground, the way his eyes trembled with fear at the mere idea of forever losing Adam, the heaviness of the air that surrounded them. These would normally be enough cause for the first man to yield and drop the topic as he always had done before, the weight of causing such despondency towards Michael far too heavy for both his heart and conscience to carry. And today too, it felt uncomfortably heavy on his being, but this time, he felt like he could endure it for the alternative was something he could no longer bear. The longer he stayed in the garden, the more he felt as if he didn’t belong, as if he were left lost and wandering, and even worse, he felt that something was enclosing in on him, its slow approach barely perceivable but absolute.

Adam took a deep breath, steeling his nerves, for he knew what he was about to say next would most especially be not welcomed by his staunch angel. “Then what about the fruit of knowledge of good and evil?”

“What?” Michael instantly raised his head and turned towards Adam, eyes wide with shocked blues. And even in his current form as a horse, the disbelief still remained evident in his frozen features as his thoughts suddenly went stark white and blank.

“The fruit of knowledge…if I ate it, would they still be willing to keep me then?” Adam asked once more, a certain kind of resolution hardening in his eyes. “There must be a reason they’re particularly uncompromising about it.”

If Michael had his hands instead of hooves, he would’ve grabbed the first man’s shoulders and shook him until such nonsense left his mind. But instead, he remained frozen from where he laid with his head turned to the side. The repeat and clarification of Adam’s question did nothing to ease incredulity of their current conversation. Then suddenly, the white blankness within his mind became flooded with panic and dread as the human’s words truly sank and seeped into his system.

“Adam, they wouldn’t keep you then because they couldn’t. Eating the fruit will kill you!” Michael’s voice trembled with worried frustration, he couldn’t believe Adam would think of such a thing, let alone even suggest it to him. “They’ve warned you about this since the very beginning!”

“But why will knowledge kill me?” challenged Adam, his gaze remaining resolute and unyielding. It made no sense to him, how could something like the gaining of knowledge kill him? “Am I not learning everyday? What’s the difference then?”

Adam’s continuous questioning put a brief pause to Michael’s rushing panic as he himself didn’t know the answers to those questions. He was never truly meant to be so involved with humanity and the garden. His only connection to the whole project was to keep it safe from possible outside dangers. It was angels’ such as Sera who were tasked to monitor and care for the garden and its inhabitants, and as such they knew more of the entire thing. And if they had claimed that the fruit of knowledge was deadly, then Michael had absolutely no reason to believe them otherwise. 

“I– I don’t know,” admitted Michael. “But the others, they helped our Father with the creation of this garden. They know everything about the garden. Why would you doubt them now?”

“Why wouldn’t YOU doubt them?” Adam argued back, a heated flame in his voice as he glared at Michael. The sharpness of his eyes sent a piercing pain through the angel’s body.
They’ve had some disagreements before, especially more in the last few days, but the first man had never once looked at Michael that way before, with such a sharp glare that pierced and twisted at his insides as it pushed itself further in, unyielding in its assault. “Despite everything that has happened, how they’ve been treating you, you choose to place your trust in them?”

Suddenly the fire in Adam’s eyes dampened, his gaze falling to the ground as he turned away from the angel. A bitter sadness clouded his eyes reflecting the condition of his heavy heart – torn and exhausted. Why couldn’t Michael just see what he saw? Why was he so unwilling to fight for them? Tears from his clenched heart pricked his eyes, the frustration and sadness threatening to spill down. With a trembling voice, he continued, “So do you think they’re justified in separating us then?”

“No! That’s not what I meant!”

“So why do you keep defending them? Whenever I ask to be taken away from here, you keep on refusing, telling me how Heaven wouldn’t approve of this, Heaven would know of that!” shouted Adam as he pushed Michael away from him before scrambling onto his feet. With clenched hands, he stood before the angel, his tearful glare gleaming with the disappointment and sorrow he felt spilling out of his heart. “I’m sick of this! I’m sick of the garden! And I’m sick of you!”

Without waiting for Michael’s response, Adam turned around and ran as far away as he could, the sun sinking behind him.

Chapter Text

Guilt had been gnawing at Adam ever since last evening. His increasing dissatisfaction with his life in the garden and frustration regarding Heaven’s ways along with Michael’s reluctance to take action had caused him to pour out all of his boiling discontent at the angel. The piercing questions and harsh words that left his mouth had been echoing within his mind ever since he ran away yesterday haunting him even throughout the night like a vengeful spirit who refused to forgive. 

“So, do you think they’re justified in separating us then?”
“I’m sick of this! I’m sick of the garden! And I’m sick of you!”

Yes, he was disappointed at Michael’s unwillingness to go against Heaven even for both of their sakes, and even until now the disappointment lingered like a heavy weight within his chest. But still, those words he said, the way he said them with such animosity, he hadn’t fully meant them. He was bitter and frustrated, and he was tired of feeling trapped in the garden, but he could never be sick of his angel. 

The small blue stones Adam stuck into the wooden horse’s face glimmered under the softening rays of the late sun. The entire day had been spent searching for white wood, yellow stones that he grounded into powder, blue stones of the correct size, and putting them together to form a figure. If he were to meet Michael again later at the end of the day, he wanted to at least have something to gift his angel – his way of apologising for his, admittedly childish, actions yesterday. Simple words would be enough for Michael, Adam knew that, but still, he wanted to show his sincerity.  

Dipping his pinky finger into a small bowl of yellow pigment, Adam gave the wooden horse figure a light yellow tint all across its body and a little darker for its mane and tail. A satisfied smile blossomed on his face as he raised the small up in the air, the white from the wood and yellow from the ground pigment looking almost golden under the soft light of the afternoon. He had taken a longer time creating the figure, ensuring that he carved the wood as smoothly as possible, grounded the yellow stone as finely as he could, and polished the blue stones so they would shine even under the shade. All of his effort and time, everything skill he had learned so far, poured into this one small thing – his apology gift for Michael. 

“Hmm, I think this might be my best work yet.” The wooden figure was held by Adam against the light of the sun, tilted and turned to a variety of angles in inspection for any remaining imperfections. 

“Quite possibly.” An unfamiliar voice spoke from behind Adam, their voice soft and gentle yet full of power and authority. When Adam turned to see his sudden guest, he was greeted with a sight he rarely saw. Tall and dignified, exuding an ethereal air with every long stride she took beneath her long white and grey dress, an angel slowly approached the first man with a soft smile upon her lips. “Though, let’s not limit yourself. I’m sure you’ll improve even more with time.”

“Sera!” 

The tall seraphim stopped just in front of Adam, her hands intertwined with each other as she regarded the human in front of her. “Hello Adam, how have you been doing?”

A sudden prickling sensation crawled up Adam’s spine at the seraphim’s arrival. Though he held no strong feelings of hate for the angel, ever since he realised that Eve’s making was due to her, an aversion had been developed against her. Sera rarely graced the garden with her presence, much less visited and talked to the humans that resided there, however, whenever she did, massive changes were introduced to their lives in the garden. Both the brothers Lucifer and Michael confirming to Adam that Sera was in fact the one who truly oversees the garden and humanity only further worsened the first man’s anxious aversion of the high seraphim. Which was exactly why Adam had learned to be a bit more mindful of the words and feelings he expressed towards Sera. For better or worse, her perception of the ongoings within the garden through his words would most assuredly alter his life. 

Storing the wooden figure in his hand behind his back, Adam looked up to the tall angel with a small awkward smile gracing his lips. “Hi Sera, it’s been a while since you last visited, and I, um, I’m doing…alright.”

Sera narrowed her eyes ever so slightly as she met Adam’s own diverting eyes. This miniscule interaction, along with the brief moment of silence as she made her way to sit upon a nearby log, only served to further exacerbate the heightened feeling that pricked at the first man’s nerves. Anxious eyes closely trailed after every move the angel made while his throat remained dry and incapable of uttering another word as his mind reeled with uneasy thoughts clamouring to be answered. Was he supposed to say something more? Had he unknowingly revealed something he shouldn’t have? Was his behaviour something out of place?

“Just alright?” Sera asked, a curious glint in her eyes as she patted the space on the log beside her. “Tell me, is there something bothering you?”

The usual cool and welcoming grace that Adam felt from the seraphim somehow suddenly felt like a cold, stagnant presence. He couldn’t exactly explain why, but instead of comfort, Sera’s company felt like a crushing wall of thorns that surrounded him - offering no room for any discussion. A simple wrong move and thorns could pierce through his flesh. Still, despite the strange uneasiness rapidly gurgling from deep within his core, Adam dared not refuse the seat offered to him by the angel. Though, despite his secret show of bravery, he still couldn’t bring himself to sit as close and act as familiarly with Sera as he used to before. In all of his existence, since he first breathed in the air of the garden, this was the first time Adam had felt the ungraspable void lingering in the back of his head become so strongly - almost like a tangible ball of incomprehensible proportions. The very real existence of his ignorance in everything that surrounded him.

With a notable distance between the two on the log, and an air of newfound unfamiliarity in the air, Adam remained uncomfortably still at the edge of the log, the wooden horse spinning between his fingers in false idleness. 

“...no… not really, everything’s fine,” Adam finally managed to force out, the knowledge that he was knowingly and purposely omitting the truth from an angel tasted like bitter, rotten fruit going down his throat. Sneaking behind Sera and Heaven was one thing, but to directly lie to her was another.

An uncomfortable heat began to swiftly spread from within his core outwards to his limbs, reaching even his extremities, as a terrifying beating started banging against his chest threatening to explode the longer he sat close to the angel. As the strange sensations became stronger, louder and more uncontrollable, a sudden cool sensation met against Adam’s forehead. 

“Are you sure everything’s fine?” asked Sera, her pale hand placed against the first man’s forehead. “You don’t look too well.”

“I– I, uh,” stammered Adam as he looked up at the tall figure who was suddenly beside him. After taking in a deep breath and along with the coolness from Sera’s hand helping to calm down the anxious heat beneath his skin, Adam managed to rein in his growing unease. Gently, pulling the pale hand away from him, Adam continued, “Really, I’m alright. It’s just that… well…”

“Well?”

“...well…” Adam turned to look back down at the wooden horse he had meticulously carved and decorated, its blue jewelled eyes and golden mane reminding him of soft kisses and gentle embraces - moments borne out of choices he had made for himself. And the thought that he couldn’t keep it nor chase for it left a desperate hollowness within his chest. It was worth it. He might as well try. “Eve and I, recently, we haven’t seen each other much.”

Sera sat up straighter, brows furrowed, silver eyes clouded with confusion as if something that shouldn’t be had happened before her very eyes. “What do you mean you haven’t seen each other? You’re husband and wife.”

Most of his life Adam had remained obedient and truthful to heaven. Never daring to step out of the path they had carved for him, having the utmost devotion to his Father, his creator. That path however, was no longer a journey he was willing to take. Lilith, his counterpart, his very own equal, had chosen her own path long ago, and yet here she remained in the garden, untouched by divine punishment. Granted, her disobedience was kept secret from most angels of Heaven, but surely their Father must suspect something? Adam would like to believe that despite heaven’s strict conduct, their Father must be a merciful one. And this time, he also hoped that their Father would be just as merciful towards him as he would try to carve his own path. 

“Eve and I… we’re just too different,” Adam answered. He fully understood how the second woman felt towards him, and  they did get along very well, too well in fact, as if the second woman was fashioned specifically for him, to tend to his every need and agree with every word he spoke. It felt…unnatural. The actions he was about to take, the words he was about to say, they’re not just for his own happiness, but also for Eve. Spreading lies about her to Sera like this, Adam hoped that she would understand one day. “There are just many things we couldn’t agree on and, well… we’ve decided to distance ourselves from each other for a while. At least until we could settle on something together, but…it’s a little, um, difficult.”

For once, it was the seraphim’s turn to be at loss for words. The fresh air of the garden slowly became contaminated by the almost tangible shocked confusion that was emanating from Sera. Having almost been kept busy with either work or plans for future work almost as soon as she was given form from the ray of a pure white star, Sera was used to the constant pressure of labour, her mind capable of processing multiple thoughts at once and coming up with ideas to resolve them. Yet at this very moment, no matter how much she racked her mind to come up with an explanation for the bizarre occurrence she had just heard, nothing came to her mind. Humans were designed to be perfect, curious and adventurous, yes, but ultimately perfect. They were meant to follow the plan blessed upon them and live life under Heaven’s guidance. Eve especially was designed to remain steadfast, never to stray away from Heaven’s light, the reins on her much shorter and more tightly held. 

“That…cannot be…” Sera shook her head, a deep furrow forming between her brows. So many questions ran through her mind, and yet they remained all unanswered. Did she make a mistake when she created Eve? Was creating a new human from a rib instead of soil what caused such an error? Had she neglected to properly study Adam’s preferences? 

“Why?” she finally continued after regaining some of her composure. “I mean, how? Can you please tell me what you two couldn’t agree on? Perhaps I could help. Let me find Eve–”

“No!” Adam swiftly held onto the sleeve of Sera’s robe before immediately releasing his hold from her. “I mean… that’s not necessary.”

Adam didn’t know it was possible, and yet here it was, the atmosphere around the two of them managed to become even more suffocating as if the very air itself was frozen and the movement of time became stagnant. Despite the seeming motionlessness of the world around him, words and actions somehow kept moving much too fast, too quick for him to put a halt on things. 

“Don’t spout such nonsense,” reprimanded Sera, her downward gaze like an icicle piercing through the first man. “She’s your wife, of course it’s necessary for you two to resolve your problems together.”

“Our problem…it’s…it’s not something that could be resolved,” Adam insisted despite feeling the sharp gaze of the seraphim towards him. 

A tired sigh escaped from Sera, “Of course it can be resolved.” Her freezing gaze slowly melted away as she placed a pale hand on the first man’s shoulder. “You need not worry much about your troubles. Heaven can fix anything.”

“No Sera, you don’t understand.” Adam pulled his eyes away from the seraphim and back to the wooden horse that he had been holding onto this entire time, his fingers slowly traced over every single feature he had carefully carved onto the figure. “Eve and I are just not for each other.”

A flicker of shimmering blue between the first man’s hands caught Sera’s eyes down towards the suspiciously familiar figure he held so carefully within his hands. And then suddenly, Sera immediately knew of the reason why Adam insisted on ‘not being compatible’ with Eve. 

“Adam, are you still feeling attached to Michael?”