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[ailes_dor]

The Sexiest Angel in the Garrison is currently not available. I'm probably having sex with your crush
or having fun doing the things you always wanted to do but never had the balls to try. Leave a message. 

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[andtherewas]

[Chuck's only response is to laugh: at the joke, at Gabriel's attempt to hide his pride.]

And you're doing okay?

[ailes_dor]

All things considered? I guess I could be doing much worse in Hell.

[For a start he might not be having this amount of fun.]

You said you were bored upstairs... are you less bored here? What have you been doing with yourself? Have you seen Luci? Mike?

[andtherewas]

That's good. [And He does genuinely seem pleased to hear it.

But the next question- ] Oh, I forgot, I got this for you.

[He reaches into His jacket and pulls out the bag of candy. It's not avoiding the question it's just. A present.]

[ailes_dor]

[ Really there's so much more he should be telling Dad, or could tell Dad. He used to be so excited to show off what he'd been doing, what he'd made or what terrible prank he'd played but he's older now and a little more jaded. If Dad isn't going to answer his questions, he's not going to volunteer information.

Dad probably knows all of Gabriel's secrets anyway.

He smiles, a fleeting sort of smile as the candy is produced and he sighs very softly. He does like sweets. But he also knows that he's being bribed not to ask any more questions.]

Thanks Dad. We can share, if you want.

[andtherewas]

I'd like that. [He opens the packet, setting it between them.]

I haven't seen your brothers yet.

[ailes_dor]

[ Gabriel might like to pretend that he's going to be all high-and-mighty and resist the candy, but he can't, as soon as it's open he's reaching forwards to take a piece. ]

I... have you spoken to them on the network? Over the phone? Ease them into the idea you're here? Luci might not take it very well and he's... found settling in difficult. And Michael...

[Michael is in a bad way. He needs to rest. Not throw himself into trying to impress their Father]

He might need some time.

[andtherewas]

Yeah, [Chuck reaches for his own piece of candy.] Yeah, I konw what that's like.

[His shoulders slump a fraction, admitting more than He ever will with words just how Chuck feels about how things ended up for Michael, for all of them.

He chews the candy in silence for a moment.]

You've seen them?

[ailes_dor]

[ Gabriel recognises that slump. He might not have the best relationship with Dad anymore but he still doesn't like seeing Him so despondent. ]

It's better than what they would have done on Earth. It could have gone better, but it could have been much, much worse. We're all together again though, that's the important thing.

[He nods, before reaching fro his cup and taking a long swallow of chai.]

Lucifer and me have talked a few times, I saw Mike when he landed here. But... it's hard. We've all changed a lot since we were all together.

[andtherewas]

[Chuck waits in silence as Gabriel drinks.]

How was Michael? [There's a reason Michael hadn't been the first son Chuck chose to contact.]

[ailes_dor]

[ And Gabriel's decidedly not going to look at Dad when he answers that question ]

Not great. If we weren't all dead already I'd say he looked like he was on death's door.

[andtherewas]

I see.


[While Chuck doesn't regret allowing Michael to be caged, He'd hoped that he and Michael would have taken the time to reconcile rather than fight. That didn't happen. That he regrets.

The silence stretches out, Chuck taking a drink too.]

Has there been any sign of Raphael? At all?

[ailes_dor]

[ They weren't ever going to settle their differences Dad. Too much time has passed. ]

No. I think she got lucky. But I have... contacts in Reaping, they keep an eye out for her, they'd tell me if someone was bringing her in to the Welcome Centre.

[andtherewas]

[Is that relief on Chuck's face? Regret?]

I saw Dean at the Welcome Center. He's looking for Sam.

[ailes_dor]

Neither of them should be down here. They've been here enough already. Sam especially.

[Gabriel still feels guilty about them. Not much, but enough to make him shift unhappily]

[andtherewas]

It hasn't been easier for them. [Though they might be happier together in Hell, than one of them alone in Heaven.]

Not for any of you.

[ailes_dor]

It was what it was. The main thing is that Earth didn't get completely trashed.

[The good of the many outweighs the suffering of the few, right? Besides, although Dad might have been able to step in, He didn't. There's no point whining about it anymore]

We dealt with it Dad. Don't worry so much.

[andtherewas]

[Chuck reaches over and takes another candy to avoid mentioning that, now He's here, the Earth probably isn't in danger of being trashed ever again.

Because it's gone.]

It'll be good to see Michael then.

[ailes_dor]

[ How about you never, ever tell Gabriel that?

He won't believe you anyway, actually. They have science now. That probably proves that the world can continue without Dad. ]

Yeah. Although maybe ease him into the whole Friday Night Board Games thing.

[He reaches for the candy, grabbing a few. He'd normally be all over them, but he feels... well, uncomfortable. Like Dad's sudden reappearance is going to make everything about a hundred times harder for him. And sweets aren't helping with that.]

[andtherewas]

[You know Chuck invented science? And is being itself?

After a pause, He smiles.]

You're kidding? He'd demand to be banker every time, just to keep Lucifer from cheating.

[ailes_dor]

[ No Gabriel had no idea tell him more :P ]

Or something that rhymes with banker anyway. Why does he love rules so much? He should just go marry some rules.

[andtherewas]

Gabriel.

[Chuck is still smiling, but His tone suggests He won't tolerate that badmouthing.]

[ailes_dor]

[ Gabriel leans back in his chair, making a face ]

You didn't have to live with him after You left.

[But fine, he'll shut up. But he's still thinking it Dad]

[andtherewas]

You could stand to love rules a little more yourself.

[Just saying.]

[ailes_dor]

Which ones?

[andtherewas]

I'd start with any of them.

[He's mostly joking.]