For a few minutes we just sat there, opposite of eachother, his hand still holding mine, his eyes fixed on the point where my wings should be. "Gabriel?" I asked. "Hmm?" He turned his head to look at my face. "What happens to an Earthangel when he or she dies?" He smiled softly, and he ran his free hand through his hair. "They become an angel again, but this time with a full set of memories and understanding about human life. They are so much better at being a guardian than any of us are. Look what happened to you. I was supposed to take care of you, and I botched it, causing you to loose your wings." He hung his head, looking very, very tiny and sad.
I couldn't help it, I felt so sorry for him. I cupped his cheek with my hand. "Don't." I said softly, causing him to look me in the eye, confused. "Don't blame yourself. If there is any blame, it's on me. I ignored my gut feeling to not go to my regular coffee shop. If I had listened to my gut, the demons had stood there for nothing." His eyes gleamed. "Still..." he whispered, barely audible. "I took a break to have a drink. I shouldn't have." He sounded so remorsefull that my heart ached for him. Not knowing what I was doing, I leaned in and kissed his cheek. Surprised he took his hand of mine and placed it where my lips had touched. My heart thumping loudly, I smiled a bit abashed. "You're sweet, Gabriel. Please... Don't blame yourself. Even an Archangel is allowed a break. You're no machine. You are a living, breathing, caring person, who deserves breaks." He lowered his head, mumbling.
"What was that?" I asked. His cheeks coloured pink and he didn't look up. "I... I said... Nothing." I smiled. Him being flustered was cute! I tucked a strand of hair back behind his ear and he shied away a bit. "Come on, Gabriel. You said something... I heard you." His head sunk even lower and I only heard his answer because I strained to hear it. "I said: 'even if it's a champagne break?' There." I chuckled. "Even then." He suddenly sprang back, his eyes flashing. "No!" he yelled. "I was being selfish. I should have stayed, and watched you. Guarded you, like I promised." Wide eyed he ran his hand through his caramel coloured hair and without any warning he was gone.