Johnny lets his eyes fall shut when Gabriel touches him, feeling unusually serene even as the corners of his mouth tic up at the little joke. When his eyes open again they fall upon Gabe and he has the odd and briefly dizzying sensation of seeing him for the first time. Gabriel, Archangel of the Lord, the third who is set over all the powers, patron of messengers, clerics, stamp collections - this goofy fucking nerd smiling up at him, this overwhelming divine being finding solace in him, Johnny of the fake last name - what would his mother say? Would Pelafina be proud to know he's dating a real honest-to-God angel?

Why should he care what she thinks? Why is he even thinking about her?

He blinks, refocuses - he figures his mind has only wandered for a moment but he still feels like he's waking up and it's obvious he's been somewhere else. He smiles, sort of embarrassed at himself, then he leans in toward Gabe and kisses him. This is it, this is the whole point: that old world isn't home anymore, can't shackle him anymore, and yes Gabe is overwhelmingly complex but he's also beautifully simple, just this guy who loves Johnny more than Johnny ever thought anyone would, could. Gabe is home.

He shifts up slightly, letting his hands come to rest on either side of Gabe's head, thumbs brushing the soft edges of his ears, fingers sliding into his hair. He pulls back and regards Gabe with a smile that's both playful and amazed.

"Uhh," he says, a little breathless. "Hi."