Usually, the 'stained-glass window' comparison was entirely accurate. It still was. It was just that ... well, it wasn't like Shudder's Gist. It wasn't a storm. More like a fog. A windy fog, with some pattering rain. It was like a weather phenomenon passing quickly between various patterns, just because of the life-changing thoughts and feelings and realisations happening in Skulduggery's being.

It was the 'no' that did it. All that clarity and awareness, drawn to a point which made Skulduggery's soul clear as glass, even despite the movement within it.

And Gabe knew it was true. Skulduggery didn't mind. And yet did. Because he had a wife, and he loved her still, and the detective had never even considered he might be worthy of loving anymore to begin with. He needed some time to work things out. That was okay. Gabe could wait, regardless of what the answer was.

(It made his being tingle, the thought of that answer. The idea of the future, a situation he hadn't dared to consider for this reason. It was strange and wonderful and yet, if Gabe thought too hard or too deeply on it, utterly terrifying. So he didn't. What would come would come.)

At that inane question, however, Gabriel could only throw back his head and laugh. "I had noticed that, yes," he said with a broad smile that was amused and warm and glowing and accepting all at once. "Fortunately, the aspect with which Guild seems to be obsessed is an aspect in which I'm not particularly interested." He chewed his lip for a moment and then added, "I'm not expecting changes, Skul. Nothing you don't want."

If he wanted them. It was his choice.