'That thing.' It was only because Gabe was so exhausted that he managed not to flinch. 'That thing.' His brother. Angel of voyagers. Fallen. Cast away even by Lucifer.
It was good that Skul knew what to do. Gabriel had no idea. He'd never been in this position before; not as an angel. His almost-Fall was the nearest, and he hadn't handled that very well either. So Gabriel had no doubts about letting Skulduggery take command. Focussing on Skul's voice was enough for the moment, and when the detective faltered, Gabriel opened his eyes and looked, as carefully as possible. He couldn't stop the pain lining his face, but his eyes were clear with understanding.
"You're home," he whispered, and smiled a smile all the more radiant for shining through his discomfort, gripping Skul's arm with a trembling hand. Home. Skul was home. He had to focus on that. Gabe took a breath he didn't need, deep and slow and steadying, and nodded once, carefully. The first thing the Archangel needed to do was cloak himself in his human form, and it was only because this was such a well-worn shape that he was able to do it. Even then, it came slowly, like a quiet rush of surf.
Gabriel's grip on Skul's arm tightened. The Archangel shut his eyes, bracing himself, and didn't bothered trying to rise. Not far. He didn't need to go far.
Without letting himself think about the consequences, Gabriel beat his wings just once, gently. The office vanished from around them, replaced by the grounds of a particularly beautiful, and off-limits, Dublin cathedral of which Gabe was fond. Then the Archangel collapsed against Skulduggery, trying and failing to muffle the half-sobbed cry of pain.
Angels couldn't fall unconscious. Right now Gabriel truly wished they could.
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It was good that Skul knew what to do. Gabriel had no idea. He'd never been in this position before; not as an angel. His almost-Fall was the nearest, and he hadn't handled that very well either. So Gabriel had no doubts about letting Skulduggery take command. Focussing on Skul's voice was enough for the moment, and when the detective faltered, Gabriel opened his eyes and looked, as carefully as possible. He couldn't stop the pain lining his face, but his eyes were clear with understanding.
"You're home," he whispered, and smiled a smile all the more radiant for shining through his discomfort, gripping Skul's arm with a trembling hand. Home. Skul was home. He had to focus on that. Gabe took a breath he didn't need, deep and slow and steadying, and nodded once, carefully. The first thing the Archangel needed to do was cloak himself in his human form, and it was only because this was such a well-worn shape that he was able to do it. Even then, it came slowly, like a quiet rush of surf.
Gabriel's grip on Skul's arm tightened. The Archangel shut his eyes, bracing himself, and didn't bothered trying to rise. Not far. He didn't need to go far.
Without letting himself think about the consequences, Gabriel beat his wings just once, gently. The office vanished from around them, replaced by the grounds of a particularly beautiful, and off-limits, Dublin cathedral of which Gabe was fond. Then the Archangel collapsed against Skulduggery, trying and failing to muffle the half-sobbed cry of pain.
Angels couldn't fall unconscious. Right now Gabriel truly wished they could.