A collection of loosely connected Simeon-centric fanfics because it's almost his birthday and because I love him.
1. Heaven is eerily quiet. Later he would look back on this day and liken it to a calm before the storm. Or alternatively, what Simeon did to get demoted.
Warnings: none I can see, Word Count: 3.1k
[??99.] [next]
Simeon has always been good at reading people. Their expressions and the things that go unsaid are like a language to him, one he is highly adept at speaking. It's something he is known for amongst the angels. A running joke is to never lie in front of Simeon for he's nearly impossible to fool. So it comes as a bit of a surprise that Lucifer should bother trying to feign ignorance when he asks if something is bothering him.
The other angel frowns briefly and turns away before his expression clears and he tries for a smile but it lacks warmth. "No, nothing's wrong. Just thinking."
About what, Simeon doesn't ask. He's learnt not to push past Lucifer's unspoken limits ages ago. He's stubborn like that, refusing to speak unless he absolutely wants to. So instead Simeon lays back in the grass with him listening to the distant sounds around them.
There's not much to listen to though; a gentle breeze ruffling the trees and someone singing somewhere but that's about it. It is a bit strange because Heaven is never without the noise of hearty conversation and laughter. A few arguments or two and much music and … that's when Simeon realizes what's wrong.
"Where are your brothers?" he feels himself frowning. There's the sound of feathers shifting but nothing else. Lucifer has chosen to remain silent.
Odd reaction to such a simple question, Simeon thinks.
At the back of his mind, Simeon acknowledges that something is very wrong and it bothers him that the information of what is being withheld. It feels like an absence of trust, one that stings in a way he wishes to analyze. But he never gets the opportunity to do that.
Raphael has arrived, cape billowing behind him in the wind and a spear in hand. Briefly, Simeon wonders if he goes everywhere with that thing.
"Hark." he greets. "I've been looking for you, Simeon."
"Oh? What for?"
"A message from Michael." He pulls an envelope from the folds of his garment and hands it over. As Simeon collects it, the other angel sits in the grass, laying his weapon beside him.
"Ooh, official summons," Simeon laughs. "Sounds serious. Am I in trouble?"
He's only teasing but the way Lucifer's breath catches makes him think that there's some truth to the casual statement.
"I'm not in trouble, am I?" he repeats at Raphael.
"You're not."
Simeon hears the rest of the sentence that goes unsaid. "But someone else is."
Are one of Lucifer's brothers in trouble? Simeon thinks to himself. Maybe that's why he seems so disturbed.
Ignoring his train of thought, Simeon pulls open the note and reads it. It starts off with the initial formalities and pleasantries of summons before it tapers out to a more informal and brief tone. The message is straightforward; Michael wants Simeon to meet him in three hours and help him check on an offending angel that has recently been imprisoned. He promises more details when Simeon arrives.
With a sigh, Simeon re-seals the note and pockets it. None of the others ask him what it says. Summons are meant for the receiver alone. All three of them are silent for quite some time, watching the grass and trees dance. It's Lucifer that breaks this silence with one long sigh.
Raphael hums thoughtfully in response. "You seem somber."
"I am somber," Lucifer replies. "Though that might not be the right word for it."
Simeon glances at him. His eyes are closed in what would normally be a peaceful expression if his eyebrows weren't so creased.
"Worried," Simeon offers. "Is that a more fitting word?"
Lucifer says nothing but his frown worsens and Simeon knows that he's hit the nail on the head. That feeling of wrongness multiples, spreading across his body until he's filled with the urge to do something about it.
"And what would ease your worry?"
Lucifer considers this for a second, eyes still closed. "How about music?"
"Music always does much to soothe the soul," Raphael agrees with a slow nod.
And without being prompted, Raphael begins to sing, softly at first. The wind carries his voice up past the trees and outwards from the garden. Lucifer sighs an even softer sigh and Simeon looks up to the clear blue sky feeling as though there's more to be said but he's not sure what.
***
Perhaps as a way to get some semblance of privacy, Michael's office is far away from the rest of the rooms in the quarters in which the other high ranking angels reside. The only other door nearby is Lucifer's, which is locked and Simeon can only assume he's still outside. Usually, at this time of the day, he's working alongside Michael.
Simeon adds that to his ever growing list of oddities he's spotted.
When Simeon knocks on the great doors of Michael's office, the sound echoes down the empty hall and a voice from within calls him in. He pushes the door open, blinking his eyes as he tries to adjust to the surprising darkness in the office. It seems Michael has drawn the blinds shut. He only does that when he wants to think deeply about something.
"Ah, Simeon." Michael welcomes. "Sit please."
Simeon squints. His eyes aren't used to such darkness but he manages to spot out Michael's silhouette moving from his desk to the wall behind. A moment later, the light suddenly returns as the blinds are lifted. The first thing Simeon sees is Michael standing by the window with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry," he says, head tilting to the side. "I sometimes forget that you can't see well in the dark."
"It's no problem."
He takes his seat in the wooden chair by Michael's desk, watching as the angel shuffles back to his desk and sits heavily in his chair. He scans his tabletop with thoughtful eyes but when he turns his gaze up to meet Simeon's, his expression is heavy.
"Lilith has been imprisoned." He's straight to the point, as usual.
Simeon sighs a long sigh meant to stabilize himself. So this is what's got Lucifer acting so strangely. Perfectly understandable.
"What for?" Simeon asks. He needs to know. Of all the angels he's known, Lilith has been among one of the least troublesome. What could she have possibly done to warrant such a punishment.
"She tried to meddle with the lifespan of her human lover," Michael says, his voice sounding more serious than Simeon has ever heard him. "And succeeded. Father is not happy about it and he's considering his next course of action."
The silent remainder of the sentence hangs in the air, as though Michael is unsure if he should continue speaking.
"But…" Simeon prompts.
"But, in the meantime she's being held so she doesn't try to escape," Michael finishes. "But she's proving difficult and seems not to want to live until her judgement day."
Simeon frowns.
"She's refusing to drink even a drop of the holy water we give her and her life wastes away with every passing minute."
"How long has she been there?"
"Two days."
Simeon is not the type to swear but at that moment, he feels that if he should, it would be somewhat appropriate.
"Lucifer knows, doesn't he?" Simeon asks instead.
A nod from Michael is all he needs as confirmation.
"And the others?"
"They don't know. You're the only one I've told."
Simeon blinks. "Why?"
"I need you to go check on her. She won't even move when I'm there. I would send Lucifer but…"
"You don't trust him?"
"It's not that," Michael shakes his head. "He won't speak to me either."
Both men go silent, staring at each other as they contemplate the situation they've found themselves in. Just a few days ago, Lilith and Belphegor had been happily planning a trip to the human world. Simeon remembers how happy they looked with their heads ducked together and their faces alight with bright smiles.
Had she been planning this since then? Or were her actions a spur of the moment?
A loud bang sound startles Simeon out of his thoughts and he flinches, instinctively whipping his head in the direction of the sound; the entrance to Michael's office. Standing there, as though summoned by Simeon's thoughts of him, is Belphegor. His right arm leans heavily against the door he had slammed open and he has a fierce expression on his face that Simeon has only seen a few times before.
"Where is she?" he says lowly.
Behind him is the angel Uriel, one of Michael's associates, in casual garb, looking absolutely frustrated. Her face is red and she's heaving like she's just returned from a workout.
"I tried to stop him but he can be shockingly fast when he wants to be," the angel says, glaring at the back of Belphegor's head.
"Belphegor!" Michael exclaims with faux excitement. "We were just talking about that. Why don't you take a seat and we can talk?"
"Cut it," Belphegor growls. "Where. Is. She?"
"That's what he kept saying at the gates," Uriel chirps, folding her arms over her chest. "I think he might be broken."
"Thank you, Uriel," Michael placates. He gives her a look intended to calm her down and she responds to it with a small frown. "I'll handle it from here."
With a huff, she gives Belphegor one last withering look before she turns around and leaves, her clothes billowing behind her. As the door shuts behind her and her footsteps recede, Belphegor begins to speak.
"I know you have Lilith in holding!" he points accusingly at Michael, marching forward. "I haven't seen her since yesterday and Lucifer is acting strange. Let her go!"
Michael sighs. "Clearly, you and I need to talk. In the meantime," he turns back to Simeon. "Why don't you go to Gabriel. He'll give you what you need."
Belphegor's gaze jumps to Simeon like he's just noticed him there.
"Of course," Simeon replies, pushing up from the chair.
He wonders what Michael will say to Belphegor. How will he explain why his sister is locked up? But whatever he says, Simeon knows Belphegor will take it very badly.
He walks out the door and turns back once to give both angels a look. Belphegor is standing to his full height and he has his arms folded. He towers over Michael, who is sitting with a frown on his face and his lips pursed, like he means to intimidate him. Simeon shuts the door and lets out a breath.
***
Simeon walks out of Gabriel's office with a frown on his face. He keeps his head low and looks at nothing but the ground as he gets lost in his thoughts. The key to Lilith's cell is cold and heavy in his hand. It mimics the burden of worry he is carrying.
A part of him feels wrong about going to check on Lilith. It shouldn't be him. He wants to turn around, find Lucifer and give him the key instead. He's closer to her, cares for her like his other brothers. Simeon is just another angel and he doubts he'll have any better success than Michael.
His wings ruffle anxiously and he pauses, seriously considering going to Lucifer instead. Afterall, he doesn't seem to have a problem talking to Simeon. They'd spoken earlier, what's the harm?
But at that moment, Simeon hears the dull sound of something falling to the ground and he turns around. He finds nothing obviously out of place. He's in the middle of the many orchards in Heaven so all he finds are the apple trees around, the wind rustling through their leaves. The tree closest to Simeon in particular, rustles more than the others.
There's an apple in the grass that has fallen from the branches of that tree.
He hums thoughtfully and continues his walk, this time more alert than before.
Now that he's paying attention, Simeon picks up the telltale signs of someone following him. He can hear careful footsteps, so faint that one wouldn't notice unless they were looking for it. From the corner of his eyes, he sees the edge of a wing hiding behind the walls of a building when he crosses the street to get to the prison gates.
As he speaks to the guard angels, asking for permission to enter, he notices movement in the trees by the prison gates. And as he walks into the darkened building, following the guard's directions of where Lilith's cell is, he picks up the lingering scent of cinnamon mixing in with the rainy smell of the building and Simeon knows who is following him.
It's Lucifer.
Of course, it is. Who else would it be? Simeon is not in the least bit surprised. There's no way he would stay away from Lilith for too long, especially if he thinks he can help her.
And there in the hallway, surrounded by cold stone, Simeon has the sudden, abrupt realization. One that hits him like lightning and forces him to stop walking. Lucifer has been planning this for quite some time now. If his brothers are in a state of panic, fearing for their sister's fate, he would be with them by now and offering comfort. But he's not, which can only mean one thing.
He has a plan to do something about his imprisoned sister.
That's why he lingered around in the garden. It's why he refused to talk about what was bothering him. Maybe he's behind Belphegor's sudden appearance in Michael's office. A distraction, perhaps?
It is obvious that Simeon is simply playing a role in Lucifer's plan and his role heavily relies on him not knowing what Lucifer is doing.
"I know you're following me," Simeon calls out. "You're not as quiet as you seem to think."
There's a brief moment where the sound of breathing ceases as if the younger angel is holding his breath. Like a deer stilling to sense danger. He must think there is none because out from the shadows steps Lucifer looking more unsure than Simeon has ever seen him.
"What was your plan anyway?" Simeon says with a smile hoping to put him at ease. "How were you going to collect the key from me?"
"I wasn't sure. Yet." Lucifer answers and without a doubt, Simeon knows he would have done anything. Whatever it took.
It's a good thing it won't get to that point, isn't it?
Simeon beckons him closer. "Come. Let's go see your sister."
Lucifer looks surprised for a brief moment but eventually moves to Simeon's side. Together, they walk, neither saying anything but their silence speaking a thousand words. They wander past cells, most of them empty until they reach one close to the end of the hall, just before the stairs that lead higher up. Within the darkness of the cold room, Lilith is curled up. She must be asleep because she stays still until Lucifer rushes to the door and calls out for her.
"Are you okay?" His voice is hoarse.
She doesn't reply but instead slowly uncurls herself and looks up at her brother as though to confirm it's really him. After a few seconds, she crawls forward. Her robes are stained with grime and dirt and from the dim light around, Simeon can see dried tear tracks on her face.
"What are they going to do to me?" she questions shakily, glancing from Simeon to her brother. "They're going to kick me out aren't they."
"No," Lucifer says strongly. "Not if I can help it."
"But you can't," Lilith's voice breaks.
Simeon knows she's right. Call it intuition or simply a deep understanding of the workings of the Seraphs, especially Michael, but he knows that no matter what happens, Lilith isn't returning to the Heavens. She will be exiled.
He looks between the faces of the two knelt on the floor and he reaches a decision in his mind.
Wordlessly, he steps forward and skids the key into the lock of Lilith's cell. There's a soft click and a jingle when the mechanism releases and he pulls the door outwards. She will have to leave Heaven but better it be on her terms.
Both siblings turn their faces to him and time stills the way it usually does when Simeon's intuition has picked up on something important. He can feel it in his bones, sure as the sky is blue, that once Lilith steps out of that door she's serving as a catalyst. A catalyst for what, he doesn't know yet. But he's sure it will reveal itself in due time.
"I suggest you both get moving," he says calmly. "It won't be long before someone notices your absence."
"What are you doing?" Lucifer looks completely confused and on a normal day, Simeon would tease him about his expression but the day has been anything but normal so he doesn't bother.
"I'm giving you the means you need. I know you followed me here to get her out. I'm helping you do that."
Lilith catches up before her brother does, quickly rising to her feet and rushing to Simeon. She pulls him into a hug and he leans into it.
"Thank you," she says warmly.
When she pulls away, Simeon finds Lucifer still looking confused.
"But you'll get in trouble for this," he says. His voice is low, imploring.
Simeon says nothing.
"Come with us," Lucifer continues, leaning forward like he means to touch Simeon. "If you stay, you'll get punished for treason."
Simeon considers this for a moment. Treason would get him kicked right out of Heaven, or worse, if he's found guilty. And should he go with Lucifer … he's not sure what would happen to him and that uncertainty is what keeps him in place.
Better a danger I know than one I don't, Simeon thinks to himself.
"I'll think of something to say," he says outloud. "Afterall, you've always been faster than me. I'm sure Michael will understand that I had simply been taken by surprise. Especially with no evidence to prove otherwise."
Realization dawn's on Lucifer's face. "Ah."
"Ah," Simeon repeats with a small smile. "I'll be fine, you'll see."
Lilith tugs on his arm, indicating that they need to leave but Lucifer lingers for a few seconds longer, looking unsure. He wants to say something more. Simeon can see it written on his face.
Instead he settles for a "good luck, Simeon." and follows his sister down the hall in the opposite direction from where they had come. Simeon watches their retreating figures until they fade into the darkness before he turns to take his leave.
As he walks away, Simeon stops to glance down the hall one last time and he wonders if he should have gone with them. If he's made the right decision. But there's no time for regret. Not now at least.
Now he has a runaway prisoner to report and a few secrets to keep.
sometimes
when i'm sleep drunk,
like you, and held by only a
bed-sheet cape
and some dirty clothes
i,
in a nook
between my ears,
want to hear
how i'm nice
or if you pine, or
how you can't wait for,
or what--
something,
anything,
but usually your eyes go
absent,
and then you say
a word or two
or three
or four
that sound o.k.
individually
but together, very mean,
and
i say nothing,
but an unpolished, abrupt
goodbye.
no,
you're no poet,
and in matters of raw,
oblique conversation,
neither am i.
