#(time to start cryin in the club again ToT)

[brokendreamscreation]

The command of the archangel snaps Lucid out of his panicking state, blue hues going wide a moment and locking with Gabriel’s helmet. Steadied and held in place, the young angel listens, just as he has countless times to the guardian. The flickering of his halo stills to a low glow, but perhaps just a bit lighter now. When asked of his sins and how he is defined, Lucid swallows before speaking barely above a whisper. “I…I list them t-to atone them. I don’t want…to give up being good…”

Shimmering, starry tears gloss Lucid’s eyes, feeling himself begin to break once more. He wants to be good, he truly does! And despite the horrors of his actions upon both Gabriel and Lucifer, the archangel sees good and potential in him. Perhaps even more than Father ever could. This notion alone burns the dim flame of hope brighter, cutting through the darkness of his turbulent mind and thoughts.

Choking out a sob, the blue seraph begins to cry, his heart and soul overwhelmed with emotions, but a prominent one being love. Love for his brothers and in return the loved and forgave him. In truth, Lucid feels like a part of him broke apart that day under the accursed spell, leaving a gaping wound in his very being. But here was Gabriel, patching that wound with love to make the younger angel feel more whole once more.

“G-Gabriel I am so sorry! I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry-” Hands brush at the flow of tears, but no matter how he wipes them away there seems to be twice more replacing them. “I never want to hurt you! I-I never want to hurt Lucifer. Or anyone! But I did, I did hurt you! I hurt you both so badly and I’m so sorry!”

✞ This was not going to be easy. This much he knew-- dreaded, even, long before he left the infirmary, before he even left the dragon's mouth, he knew. And even then, he thought how could he best disregard this tooth impaling him when his brother came to. And yet he still did not guess quite how badly it would burden them. Sometimes... he forgets they have not watched the world nearly end a thousand times, have not nearly killed Lucifer, have not... murdered their fair share of demons.

Hands find their shoulders, a steadying gesture, already feeling that they are coming undone, but he lets them finish, only nodding in acceptance at every crime they mention. He knew that they had to grieve the mistake, letting guilt and shame run its course. As anyone would-- as he would. But when they begin to reach their peak, grow erratic, he takes their hand from their chest and grips one shoulder tighter. That kind of thinking he can't abide by.

" Enough-- Lucid, stop. " A command, though his stern tone softens as he pulls them to look at him. " Stop and listen... You are not something evil, you are a person that has done an evil act under extreme duress. Please, see that there is a difference... You are no less divine than I am-- and I shall not let you believe what others pre-judge of you merely because of another's vile affliction! But... I ask you, brother... Do you tell me your sins to list all you will atone for or do you tell me because you wish to give up on being good? This-- this is what I mean when I say what will define you... " But the word still stays with him. Tainted. If it were that simple, then he must be drenched in stains... Heaven knows he's not as pure as he was at their age. His demeanor grows somber as his gaze wanders down from them as his grip on them softens.

" You are an immortal yet imperfect thing, Lucid. A very powerful one. And somehow, one day, many times as you forever exist, you will cause... terrible destruction. Accident or otherwise. But you also have endless potential for incredible good. My only wish is to raise you to see that... "