The TARDIS' mental nudge finds Gabriel at the far end of the vast library between the fireplace (lacking fire at the moment) and an impressive wall of books. He has his wings out, hanging carefully behind the back of a plush sofa. Though the TARDIS has done her best to help him heal, they still look terrible. Beyond her help wrapping the broken wing, they'd spent time carefully grooming out dried blood, rearranging frayed feathers, and tending to wounds.
He's exhausted, physically and mentally, but his wings are the only thing that immediately show the extent of the damage, so he shifts them out of view as the TARDIS and whoever the company is get closer to the library. He could reach out with his mind to see who's coming, but he doesn't bother. Instead, he brushes back at the TARDIS' mind, letting her know that it's alright to bring in visitors.
When they come in, he's sitting with a stack of books next to him on the sofa, each written in a different alien language. The TARDIS had obliged him by not automatically translating them, and when he's not been resting or spending time with the TARDIS, he's been studying these languages. As the door opens, he closes the book in his lap and stares up and Johnny and Scout arriving. For a moment, there's a blank look on his face. For some reason, he hadn't been expecting Johnny and Scout. He feels a sudden apprehension, and the persistent tug of shame about what he'd done. Maybe he just hadn't been ready to see Johnny...or maybe it's just because he's not sure what to tell him. What is Johnny going to think of him now?
He can't look at Johnny's face yet. He focuses in on the TARDIS, and gives an affectionate brush against her mind. This is okay, but it's going to be tough.
He smiles and sets aside his book. God, Scout. The little dog is pulling on his leash even as Johnny walks across the room. When they finally reach him, Gabriel bends forward a little to pet the dog, but he doesn't risk bending to far. To much movement still hurts, and he doesn't want to cringe in front of Johnny. He knows that Johnny should know the truth, but he doesn't want the evidence on display.
Thankfully, Scout obliges him by first jumping up onto the couch and then onto his lap. Gabriel pets him, murmuring out 'hello's and 'good boy's over and over while Scout tries and succeeds at licking his face. He takes a slightly shaky breath as Scout finally starts to calm down. He feels like crying. What had he done to his little dog? Did he even know that his leaving wasn't his fault?
He keeps his smile in place when he finally looks up at Johnny, though it's slightly strained. "Thanks for bringing him."
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He's exhausted, physically and mentally, but his wings are the only thing that immediately show the extent of the damage, so he shifts them out of view as the TARDIS and whoever the company is get closer to the library. He could reach out with his mind to see who's coming, but he doesn't bother. Instead, he brushes back at the TARDIS' mind, letting her know that it's alright to bring in visitors.
When they come in, he's sitting with a stack of books next to him on the sofa, each written in a different alien language. The TARDIS had obliged him by not automatically translating them, and when he's not been resting or spending time with the TARDIS, he's been studying these languages. As the door opens, he closes the book in his lap and stares up and Johnny and Scout arriving. For a moment, there's a blank look on his face. For some reason, he hadn't been expecting Johnny and Scout. He feels a sudden apprehension, and the persistent tug of shame about what he'd done. Maybe he just hadn't been ready to see Johnny...or maybe it's just because he's not sure what to tell him. What is Johnny going to think of him now?
He can't look at Johnny's face yet. He focuses in on the TARDIS, and gives an affectionate brush against her mind. This is okay, but it's going to be tough.
He smiles and sets aside his book. God, Scout. The little dog is pulling on his leash even as Johnny walks across the room. When they finally reach him, Gabriel bends forward a little to pet the dog, but he doesn't risk bending to far. To much movement still hurts, and he doesn't want to cringe in front of Johnny. He knows that Johnny should know the truth, but he doesn't want the evidence on display.
Thankfully, Scout obliges him by first jumping up onto the couch and then onto his lap. Gabriel pets him, murmuring out 'hello's and 'good boy's over and over while Scout tries and succeeds at licking his face. He takes a slightly shaky breath as Scout finally starts to calm down. He feels like crying. What had he done to his little dog? Did he even know that his leaving wasn't his fault?
He keeps his smile in place when he finally looks up at Johnny, though it's slightly strained. "Thanks for bringing him."