The touch on his shoulder made Gabe shudder, and for the first time since he'd left his own reality the Archangel wanted one of his older brothers so strongly the need was almost physical. That despair--the despair. He hadn't been prepared for it.
Last time, Michael had held him for Lord knew how long after yanking him out of his lion-shape. This time, Michael wasn't here.
But Skul was, and somehow the whisper of the detective's soul was more of a balm to the Archangel's frazzled emotions than one might expect. Reeking of necromancy or not, Skul's soul was more, far more, than simply locked into a skeleton and unable to pass on. He was redemption and abstinence and strength and hope, and everything about an undead being that could possibly be pure at all.
Without really thinking about it Gabriel found himself clinging to his friend, one hand clutching Skulduggery's suit while he pressed his face against Skul's shoulder as if he could surround himself with Skul's soul. The Archangel trembled, his tears wetting the cloth, not able to do much except wait until the emotion of centuries of souls left unguided had passed.
no subject
Last time, Michael had held him for Lord knew how long after yanking him out of his lion-shape. This time, Michael wasn't here.
But Skul was, and somehow the whisper of the detective's soul was more of a balm to the Archangel's frazzled emotions than one might expect. Reeking of necromancy or not, Skul's soul was more, far more, than simply locked into a skeleton and unable to pass on. He was redemption and abstinence and strength and hope, and everything about an undead being that could possibly be pure at all.
Without really thinking about it Gabriel found himself clinging to his friend, one hand clutching Skulduggery's suit while he pressed his face against Skul's shoulder as if he could surround himself with Skul's soul. The Archangel trembled, his tears wetting the cloth, not able to do much except wait until the emotion of centuries of souls left unguided had passed.