A Date A Day 16

A Date A Day 16


They went to a hill in a field far from civilization, bundled in coats and carrying a picnic basket and blankets. Gabriel carried a telescope as well, still thinking over how he should proceed with the relationship.

"So, a meteor shower, huh?" Cat asked with a smile, watching him set up the telescope.

"It was reported that it's going to be quite bright. I'd like to see it as well. I've never seen one before." Gabriel replied and stood by her, gazing up at the starry sky as they waited for the meteor shower to start.

How much did he trust Cat? Honestly?

Gabriel swallowed hard, then carefully reached to pull up Cat's hand and hold it gently in his own, weaving their fingers together while she looked up at him in confusion. He opened his mouth, paused, then tried again to speak, cautious and almost hesitant.

"What good is the morning if the night never comes?" he told her. Catherine tilted her head, puzzled.

"Is that like some great riddle of the universe or something?" she asked in confusion, "You getting philosophical on me, Briel?" The angel grinned a little, lopsided and fond.

"Nah. It's my shutdown phrase." he clarified, chuckling at the surprised look on the treasure hunter's face, "I'm trusting you to know it, and to use it if I go too far in any way."

He didn't think Cat's eyes could get any bigger or rounder than at that moment, sparkling with a mix of emotions Gabriel couldn't hope to pick out or name, so far beyond him as he was now.

"Wow~." she finally whispered, slow smile spreading over her face as she blinked away tears, "Thank you, Briel... Gabriel. It... it really means a lot to me, that you would tell me something so precious." She reached up, cupping her hand against his cheek and he tried his hardest not to flinch at the touch because this was Cat, not Antonov. The young woman sniffled, smoothing her gloved hand over his skin. "Um... what does it do to you? The phrase, I mean? Does it hurt or-?"

He reached up to place his hand over hers comfortingly, smiling back at her. "No. It just... switches me off. Like putting me to sleep very suddenly. I don't have any time to react to anything." Gabriel explained, "Just say it and I'll pretty much fall asleep on the spot. And I stay asleep until nine hours pass or you say the counter phrase. Why does the dawn matter to sunset? That's the counter phrase."

"Why does the dawn matter to sunset?" Cat echoed and Gabriel's eyes lit up, expression taking on a slightly haughty frown.

"Because if it doesn't come, I'm going to be bloody cross." he replied and the shine died down to a more normal glow, the blonde blinking in surprise before chuckling a little sheepishly, "Seems like I suffer the same side effect as my brother. Saying it while I'm awake just has me repeat the confirmation phrase that I'm online." Cat laughed with him, snuggling close and hugging him.

"Thank you for sharing that with me. I promise, I'll take good care of those phrases." she murmured and looked up in time to see the first of the meteors streaking by, "Oh! Briel, check it out! It's starting!"

They stood together, Cat peeking into the telescope now and then, and gazed up in wonder at the hundreds of little lights streaking across the starry sky. Gabriel soaked in the sight of it all in wide-eyed awe, tracing out the paths the meteors took as they zipped past the Earth.

"How could I have thought it was better to end the world when there's things like this that can only be seen here?" he whispered, "Flawless, perfect, and beautiful."

"Just needed the chance to escape Antonov and see it for yourself, that's all." Cat replied and sighed happily, "This was a really good date." And Gabriel just hummed in agreement, feeling like he'd done well in trusting her with those two phrases.