Simone was using Gabriel's office, Sombra keeping her company. Simone had volunteered to help with the Mid-Summer's festival, excited in doing something for the community. Sombra was pestering her with constant questions more than actually helping.

"What happens to your wings when they disappear? Can I see you do it? Does it hurt?"

"No, it doesn't hurt. But keeping my wings inside is uncomfortable after too long. Do you think Satya would be willing to grow some of her glowing flowers for decorations?"

"Of course. She loves to show off." Sombra examined her fingernails. Gabriel came through the door, and noticing Sombra, tried kicking her out of the office.

"Sombra, out." He snapped. Sombra smirked, placing a hand over her heart.

"Ouch, it's like you don't want me here." She craned her head, trying to peek around his back from where she set.

"Whatcha got there, oh mighty and powerful leader?" Simone's interest peaked and she also tried to see what Gabriel was hiding. He growled before holding out a small metal cage. Inside was the most precious little bird Simone had ever seen.

"Awwwwwwwww!" Simone and Sombra cooed, coming closer to peer into the cage. The little bird was blue and teal, with the cutest puffy grey cheeks. It cocked its head as it looked at the two adoring women.

"She's yours." Gabriel stated, handing Simone the cage. She looked up at him in surprise.

"What?"

"He got you a pet!" Sombra clarified, taking the cage and holding close to her face.

"You did?" Simone asked, a shy smile on her face. Gabriel huffed, followed by a gruff, "Yes." He almost sounded embarrassed. Simone threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around Gabriel in a tight hug. Her cheek pressed against his chest, she gave a happy hum.

"Thank you." She whispered. Gabriel's hand brushed against the small of her back, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Aww. It's a lovebird! He got you a lovebird, that's so sweet." Sombra smirked at Gabriel with a knowing glint in her eye. He took a short step back from Simone, effectively ending the moment they were having.

"Sombra!" He snapped before giving an angry growl and left the room quickly. Simone sighed and raised a brow at Sombra. The necromancer rolled her eyes and handed her the cage with her new pet.

"I'm only teasing him." She explained.

"It's rather adorable how much he tries to deny his feelings for you."

"What?" Simone blushed, her voice an octave higher than normal.

"He's always so broody, but now he's less broody when you're around. I mean, he got you a cute little bird for crying out loud." Simone wiggled a finger at the little bird.

"Does he really… do you think he really might have feelings for me?" She asked quietly as if asking the bird instead of the other woman.

"Ay Dios Mio, you are both hopeless." Sombra groaned, excusing herself from the room. Simone couldn't help the smile that took over her face, so big it hurt her cheeks. She gave a little happy wiggle, her heart tap dancing in her chest.

Simone took her new pet around to see all of her friends. Jamie and Mako were disappointed it wasn't bigger, Sayta admired the beautiful coloration of its feathers, and Zenyatta tried helping her pick out a name for it. But she wanted Gabriel to help her name the bird. And it would have been easier if she could find him anywhere. He was doing a very good job at avoiding, not only her but everyone. Putting the cage and the bird safely in her room she went looking for him. As a last result, she asked Amelie. The tall woman stared down at her with her cold, gold eyes.

"Why would I tell you?" Simone pursed her lips into a thin line.

"Because I asked." The dark elf brushed her off, turning away.

"Hardly adequate."

"What's so wrong about me knowing where he is? Maybe it's important."

"Everything is always so important to you. Is it at all possible that he doesn't need you following him around while he works to run this city?" Amelie sneered at her.

"I… I help him. If he wanted me to leave he would ask." Simone defended herself, feeling anger start to build. She had such a good start of the day, and now it was being ruined by a hateful woman.

"He doesn't need your help. You are nothing more than a hindrance to him and to this city. The bonding between you two is nothing more than a joke decided on by cowards who are afraid to fight by themselves." Simone clenched her jaw, she was furious.

"I've had just about enough of you and your hatefulness!" Her voice was raised, fist in tight balls at her sides.

"I don't know what happened to you that broke your soul; but it gives you no right to look down on others. Yes, Gabriel and I were bonded under untraditional circumstances, but that doesn't make it okay for anyone to judge. Now! I asked if you knew where my bond mate was. If you know you will tell me." Amelie actually looked shocked at Simone's outburst. She would have retorted, but Gabriel materialized next to Simone, laying a hand on her shoulder.

"Amelie, you're excused." The dark elf looked at Simone with confused eyes before leaving.

"What was that?" Gabriel asked Simone.

"I told you, she hates me. I just… got a little frustrated." She crossed her arms across her chest and avoided looking at him.

"Not that. You said her soul was broken." Simone fidgeted, staring at the toe of her shoes.

"Yes." She said softly.

"Why?"

"Because I can see it. Her soul. It's broken, and it's not healing."

"You can see souls?"

"I am half angel." She reminded him. Gabriel sighed.

"I told you that she hated everyone. You shouldn't have taken it personally." Simone frowned. He had obviously heard the conversation between the two, and he still asked her not to take it personally.

"I shouldn't have gotten upset, but I won't apologize for defending myself or our bond."

"The two of you should just stay away from each other."Gabriel decided. Simone felt the compulsion to say more but wasn't sure if it would be appreciated.

"Why were you looking for me anyway?" He asked, leading her back to her room.

"I wanted your help naming my bird." He made a scoffing sound from behind the mask.

"You started a fight with my second because you want help naming a bird?"

"Yes." She replied indignantly.

"You're ridiculous." That comment hurt. She knew it shouldn't, but it did anyway. She looked at the floor, her throat getting too tight. Gabriel stopped her, lifting her chin with a single finger.

"I didn't say that to upset you." She stepped back, away from his touch.

"I guess I'm just a little emotional." Gabriel stepped forward, not letting her back away.

"Bullshit. I hurt you. How?" He honestly seemed confused. Simone didn't know what to say, she shut her eyes out to stop the tears.

"I was so happy today. I was actually helpful, and then you… you were so sweet. I felt almost like a normal bonded… You said I was ridiculous, all because I wanted us to share something special. The things Amelie said; I have those doubts all the time. And it's worse because I don't know how you feel. For all I know, you could agree with her. " She blurted out, words tripping over each other as she tried to keep from crying; from feeling stupid. She seized up, realizing what she had just confessed. Gabriel didn't say anything. He probably didn't even know how to respond to her nonsense. She shook her head.

"I shouldn't have said anything." She brushed past him, running up the stairs. Gabriel grabbed her wrist, and she pulled away.

"Please, just…. Don't." Simone made it to her room and shut the door with a sharp snap.

She was embarrassed, and felt like a complete fool. Every time she and Gabriel had a moment of closeness, a step in the right direction, something happened to ruin it. This time she was the one to ruin it; her and her stupid emotional outburst.

The next morning, Simone was sitting at the foot of her bed, she was petting the little bird on the head as it balanced on her finger. She flushed darkly when Gabriel came into her room. He didn't stop at the doorway though, he came and set on the bed behind her.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"You shouldn't be." His voice rumbled.

"I made a fool of myself."

"No, you didn't." He reached out slowly, gently brushing her loose curls off her back and neck. Simone sit up straighter, her back stiff.

"Do you still trust me?" He asked.

"Of course." She answered, without hesitation. Gabriel took off his gloves. Simone felt a shiver go up her spine when his cool, calloused fingers ran through the soft down feathers between her shoulder blades. His fingers retreated.

"Sorry." He apologized gruffly.

"No! No… they're just sensitive." She said quickly. Putting the little bird back in the cage where it set beside her, she sat up straight, hands in her lap. Gabriel worked slowly, unsure the correct way to do this. Going from the softer feathers to the longer, stiffer flight feathers, he made sure that they were all straight and healthy. Simone gave a happy hum, soothed and comfortable by his busy fingers.

"Amor." He said quietly.

"Huh?" She made a noise in the back of her throat.

"The bird's name. Amor." She smiled, looking over at the little blue bird.

"I like it. It's pretty." She chirped, calling the little bird.

"Do you like that name, little one?" She asked it. She laughed when it chirped back. Gabriel finished, putting his gloves back on. Simone stood when he did, giving him a sweet smile as she picked up Amor's cage. Placing it on its shelf, she turned to him as he went to leave.

"Thank you." She said softly, twisting a curl around her fingers.

"My pleasure." He responded, his voice a purr, low in a way that made her stomach clench tight. Covering her cheeks with her hands she tried to contain the happy noise that was about to burst from her smile. She was very glad he left before he saw her acting like a love drunk teenager. Her vision became blurry as a vision crept up on her. She became lax, and then started screaming. Gabriel busted back into the room and saw her on her knees. Simone was screaming, eyes unfocused and wide. Hugging herself tightly, her nails clawed bloody trails down her own arms. Other people were arriving, alarmed by the ungodly terrified screams and sobs. Gabriel was on his knees in front of her, grabbing her hands to keep her from harming herself further.

"Simone!" He tried calling, anything to snap her out of her vision. He only started to panic more when her tears turned to blood, leaving gory red streaks down her cheeks to drip into her hair.

"What do we do?" Sombra asked, scared and holding tightly to Amelie. Simone suddenly stopped, going completely limp. Gabriel pulled her into his lap, cradling her against his chest.

"Someone get Overwatch! Now!"