"I have," Gabriel said with great and innocent dignity, "no idea what you're talking about." But he couldn't stop the grin, either at the conversation or with pride in both Skul and Fletcher at their exchange. Skul was definitely catching on, and the praise was helping Fletcher grow in leaps and bounds even here at the beginning.

"I did notice his hair, yes," the Archangel agree with a suppressed smile. "And I've seen worse. Trust me. You didn't want to see some of the styles going around Europe a thousand years ago."

~~~

"'Course not, boy," Dad growled, whapping Ghastly lightly on the shoulder with the back of his hand. "Doin' that's not gonna do either of you any favours. You can't take away the weight of what he did. Probably it's one of the things that defines him now, and he ain't gonna give it up 'til he's good and ready. No."

The old mariner shook his head, gesturing for another drink which came far too quickly before the bartender hustled down the other end of the counter, apparently having decided he didn't want to be anywhere near here. "You don't pretend. Knowin' when to accept someone else's help to carry the burden he's already got is what he's gotta learn. When, if and how you forgive him's up to you."