jermastrat: Helmless Headcanon! (11)
Gabriel ([personal profile] jermastrat) wrote in [community profile] datadiving2025-06-09 12:40 am

I'm gonna punch you until I'm hard okay go

Something had to distract him. Thoughts of home, how much time he had left, how much damage had been done, what he had done- Gabriel was no coward, but this was all too much for him to bear. He didn't want to, surely he could put it aside for now, just for a little while. The fact that he could even come to that decision on his own prompted a bit of a thrill, he couldn't deny...

Was it cheating to join the wrestling match, being as he was? Well he certainly didn't think so. Someone here had to be good enough to make him struggle, right? ... Well, probably not, as far as he was concerned, but the effort would be commendable at least. And he's a terribly sore winner too, as multiple opponents would soon find. The angel certainly seemed proud of himself, over proud really, rolling his shoulders before hefting the mallet he'd been offered up again, wings and halo blazing as the next opponent would be shot a smug smile.

"Come. I'll be happy to put you in your place." In stark contrast to the wild look in the angel's eyes, that voice was alarmingly soothing.
temperedguardian: could frame thy fearful symmetry? (what immortal hand or eye)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-10 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
Crouched and coiled to spring, it's an odd situation in which to realize that he doesn't know that much about Gabriel. No more than everyone did, at any rate, despite working together for such a long time...well, for a given value of together, at least.

They suppose they can ask questions now. It's not as if they hold rank over him any more, and indeed, if the hierarchy had been as the Father had originally established, Gabriel would be the higher.

(His sin has always been that of curiosity. His fascination with machines, with Hell and demons, was something not to be discussed in polite company, or any company at all.)

"I've never seen you spar unarmed," Cassiel muses out loud, taking full advantage of Gabriel's new position to leap on him and try to pin him to the ground. Of course, they don't expect this to work, but they can't be faulted for trying. "You've always used weaponry."

Does Gabriel have much experience with unarmed fighting? They actually don't know. They suppose they'll find out.

Their hair falls over their shoulders, framing their face. Their eyes are aglow with familiar excitement.
Edited 2025-06-10 05:22 (UTC)
temperedguardian: (what the hammer? what the chain?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-10 06:08 am (UTC)(link)
That draws a laugh from Cassiel in turn. They know better than to get into a contest of strength with Gabriel, so the practical thing is to slither free; they relent so they can jerk their leg out and put some space between them.

"I only used it against demons, and that was long ago. I am very much out of practice." Such a mention may bring to mind, for Gabriel, V1's penchant for aggressively punching everything. Cassiel has no idea, of course. "Its application is limited when it comes to wrestling, however, so I suppose we will indeed learn together."

All that said, they rearrange themselves so they can try to get Gabriel in a leg lock anyway. They are very enthusiastic about this, so much so that their face is alight with it; almost unrecognisable from the serious Council bodyguard that had seen him off most times.
temperedguardian: (did he smile his work to see?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-10 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
It's interesting, exciting even, to be in a situation where he can even attempt to put Gabriel on the back foot about anything. It's not something he expected, but then when has he ever really expected?

Had faith, you mean? says what they've buried deep inside, and they flinch away from that like a wild animal might leap away from the first breath of a wildfire's smoke.

"I suppose when you have your arsenal of weaponry, you need not worry about such things." If they cast their mind back, they can almost feel the surge of strength they'd needed back then, simply to handle the full weight and might of Maelstrom.

But this isn't that, is it. They pull their mind back to the present to consider their approach for a scant moment before lunging forward again to get close, dropping low as they do so and trying to grab hold of Gabriel's leg to get him off balance again.
temperedguardian: (burnt the fire of thine eyes?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-11 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
As Cassiel has never really interacted with Gabriel in more than a formal capacity, they have a limited ability to tell in the first place, but they do think it sounds a bit less haughty than usual...that's probably fine, though, since it's not accompanied by an outburst or some manner of upheaval.

They do, however, look surprised at the request, if only for a moment. "If that's what you want, I won't refuse." They owe him that much, after all. (They owe him much.)

Rather than resist being pulled towards the other angel, Cassiel simply goes with the movement, that caught arm going around Gabriel's shoulder as they twist in his grip to put their back to his chest. That done, they drop to a kneeling position and attempt to flip their opponent over their shoulder and back - and onto the ground - in one smooth movement.

They've usually done this with far larger creatures, but Gabriel may as well be comparative in weight given the gap in their strength. It feels quite a bit like trying to lift a boulder.
temperedguardian: what the anvil? (in what furnace was thy brain?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-11 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
Cassiel, for their part, is just...pleased to be useful. It's nice. Despite the absurdity of the situation, it's not terrible?

Or maybe that's just all the strange air they've breathed in. Oh well. It still feels good, they'll take solace in that.

What else feels good: managing to flip Gabriel. They let out a breathless little laugh of triumph right before the other angel grabs their arm - still recovering from their exertion, they can't react in time to pull themselves away, so down they go with an undignified yelp of surprise.

Almost on top of him, as it happens.

On reflex, they twist themselves to get their shoulder to the ground, trying to lock their free arm around his neck to keep him there before he can recover.

"Enjoying yourself?" They sound breathless, but they seem just as energetic, so the same question could be asked back to them.
Edited 2025-06-11 10:42 (UTC)
temperedguardian: (what the hammer? what the chain?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-11 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Cassiel has something of a suspicion that it's to do with how most of this strange mortal festival seems to have a carnal element to it, but they're not especially bothered. It's not poisonous or deadly in any way, so it's probably fine.

Well, they thought so, at least. They lock their arm around Gabriel's neck and he gasps and they feel a very sudden shock of electricity down their spine that makes them very aware of how close together they are, all of a sudden.

Which is.....fine. Good, even. It's not as if they're in Heaven any more, and even if they were, Cassiel is dead and therefore not supposed to exist anyway so it was just...not their problem. They've put aside far more important things as not their problem before, but this one doesn't even seem worth worrying about...

Oh, Gabriel's trying to get out, that won't do. They shift their weight, using their hips to keep him pressed, their feet hooking around his ankles to try and force a more complete submission.

The comment, though, ekes out another laugh from Cassiel. "I'm too curious for anyone's good," they say, in an almost affectionate tone, like that's not a flaw, a sin, that's been tormenting them since their creation. It just doesn't seem to matter here. It may as well be told in confidence (as if they were ever close enough for saying things in confidence. But that bond between them, caused by blood spilled, that seems to be enough - tenuous and frail as it is.)

"It's interesting to be able to keep up with you for once. It's a side of you I've not seen before."
Edited 2025-06-11 17:20 (UTC)
temperedguardian: (could twist the sinews of thy heart?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-12 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
At this point, Cassiel is having enough fun (and...other feelings in the mix, which are distinctly not for the love of friendly competition, but it's fine, it's fine, it's fine) that winning or losing is a distant priority. They don't have much of a competitive streak - they left that sort of thing to others - and so the only thing that's at stake is their comparatively small amount of pride.

Which is about to take a beating if he doesn't move. He realizes a split second before it happens what Gabriel is about to do, forcing him to loosen his grip so that the force of being launched doesn't dislocate his arm.

Maintaining the pin is out of the question. Gabriel flat-out launches him and the best he can do is fall gracefully, manifesting his wings himself to right himself in the air and land lightly on the ground once more. Once again, they're back to neutral positions, more or less.

"So you want to fight me in the air now? I don't think that will improve your odds, Gabriel." It's a joke, mostly.
temperedguardian: in the forests of the night (Default)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-12 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
"If you needed space, you shouldn't have chosen a wrestling match," Cassiel huffs, pushing their hair back over their shoulders once more. The aphrodisiac is certainly loosening their tongue; they too are speaking with a much more casual pattern, as if they were friends. If either of them had been friends. If friends were a thing Heaven's higher echelons concerned itself with.

Despite the huffy tone, the intensity of their wings betrays them, blue bordered with gold. They're enjoying themselves quite vicariously.

"Come, then," Cassiel says, with a wild grin, beckoning to the other angel with a careless gesture of their hand. They can't help but be reminded of more violent days, though unlike now they had taken no joy in it; they can't help but be drawn to Gabriel's joy and enthusiasm, infectious as it is. (A moth drawn to the hypnotizing light of a flame...well, they had already been consumed once. Perhaps this time they can hold to it without being burned.)

"Make good on that boast, if you can."
temperedguardian: and what art (and what shoulder)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-12 06:13 am (UTC)(link)
Cassiel, as usual, overthinks things. Gabriel had been well-loved in Heaven, they knew, but they don't recall him really having friends, or relationships, or anything outside his work. It had been similar for Cassiel, though; perhaps they simply hadn't paid enough attention.

They had both had their roles, and despite how diminishing that seemed, it had been...enough. Gabriel had been sated in his duty, Cassiel had curled up and hidden within theirs, on and on until the end of time, or the end of their life in this case.

Strange to think there was anything more than that. Anything more than death. It's not a chance they deserve, not something they looked for (the weariness of centuries is hard to shake off), but if it brings Gabriel comfort, they won't begrudge it.

Besides, it's fun, they suppose. They've never had much reason for fun in their life. They may as well start.

The younger angel doesn't flinch at Gabriel's approach; in fact, they think it's perfect. Rather than charge to meet him in return, they grab his arm when he gets close and then fall with their full weight, aiming to flip him over their head and onto his back for another takedown.
temperedguardian: (burnt the fire of thine eyes?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-12 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Life had been little more than a holding pattern for them, waiting for their flaws to be exposed. If necessary, they would hide for an eternity.

It's funny, that impending death had broken them open so cleanly. What else was there to do or say in the face of oblivion than to fall freely? And yet again, they'd been caught, tangled in the net of a place where it seemed none of those things even mattered. It's a relief. It's such a relief.

Cassiel yelps again in surprise as they're suddenly grabbed, helpless to do anything but go along with it. There's no reflex action that can help them here; they're simply tumbled together with Gabriel for a moment, though when the flurry of movement ends it's now the archangel on top.
temperedguardian: dare its deadly terrors clasp? (what dread grasp)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-12 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a stunning effect in more than one way, still reeling from the physical impact of their little tumble; Gabriel is beautiful, after all, something they'd always taken as an objective fact.

From the way they're running hot at the sight of his smile, though, they suspect that fact isn't quite so objective as they thought it was. All it took was a truly extended amount of close contact, it seems.

And whatever was in the air, they certainly never felt this nice in Heaven. It's not a problem, though, not even the audience is a problem. This is what they wanted, wasn't it? If there was an actual issue, they would have been told to stop.

That command earns another breathless laugh, though certainly it's tempting to submit. It's essentially what they've done their whole life, after all, and Gabriel's command is pleasant to be on the other end of, especially when he moves like that.

"You'll need to pin me to make me do that," Cassiel reminds him, flashing another brief grin as they make a spirited attempt to destabilize Gabriel's position atop them by knocking his hands out from under him with their own. Whether he or they end up winning is of no concern to them at this moment; they simply want to keep chasing that bright, heated feeling that's burning in them, to be closer.

They can't let Gabriel do all the work, right? That would be silly.
Edited 2025-06-12 16:58 (UTC)
temperedguardian: and what art (and what shoulder)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-12 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
At the very least, his ever-present fear of punishment had not instilled in him any shame about this kind of fervent longing and desire. It would be a lie to say he'd ever really thought about it before (perhaps it would have made the long years more entertaining), but it would be a lie, too, to say that he doesn't want it now. All he's concerned with is whether Gabriel wants it too, and if his responses are anything to go by, he certainly does.

They take advantage of the opening they've made, not staying far from Gabriel for long. They tangle their legs with his, rolling on top of him as they try to pin his wrists. They, too, are laughing.

They want, they want...they don't know what they want, exactly, sexual desire is nothing they've ever indulged in before. But they do know that it feels good. They do know they want to make Gabriel feel good. They want that so badly that it almost hurts.

"I told you I'd make you work for it."
temperedguardian: what the anvil? (in what furnace was thy brain?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-13 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
Cassiel's breath hitches as they feel Gabriel move under them, another bright shock of pleasure crawling up their spine. They're learning so many new things about themselves today, it seems.

They press their forehead to Gabriel's, their face just as flushed, just as hot, for a brief moment. (They think about kissing him and wonder at the thought, but they don't act on it yet.)

"I never thought I'd hear that from you." Their voice is affectionate, sweet even, that usual temperate distance long flown.

It's likely the strangeness in the air that leads to such informality, but they chase that closeness anyway, fleeting though it might be. It's hard to remain so open, so raw, the sunlight too bright for the wreck of them to bear for long, but at least this makes things simpler. It's something to be thankful for.

"I do have you, it seems. What should I do with that?" They keep him firmly pinned down, solidifying their hold. If that happens to mean they rock their hips against him in return, rubbing up against him for pleasant friction....

Well, that's just how it's working out right now.
temperedguardian: could frame thy fearful symmetry? (what immortal hand or eye)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-13 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
Gabriel's efforts are near-instantly rewarded by another stutter of breath, a heated gasp. Everything is almost too much, the way arousal pulls their mind fully into their body, makes them feel too aware of everything and especially of Gabriel - but the sword-edge they balance on, that bright slice of pleasure and the threat of prickling overstimulation...it's so deeply, intoxicatingly pleasant that they can't, wouldn't, give it up.

If it's a sin to feel this happy, then they'll gladly be a sinner, is their hazy thought, quickly hidden away. They'll think about it later. Later. There's more important things to do right now.

It's right, in some terrible way, that Gabriel is the one to break them open like this, an echo of their last meeting. As he did before, he does so again, and they show him facets of themselves they've never shown to anyone else.

"That command, I'll gladly follow," Cassiel murmurs breathlessly, staying still so Gabriel has an easier time repositioning himself. Daringly, one hand lifts from pinning Gabriel's wrist to run their fingers through his hair, their fingers skating against his bare cheek. They move their hips again - faster? They should do it faster, closer - and again against him. The noises that friction is beginning to work out of their throat, those breathless hitches and little moans, are something they're barely aware of.

It's warm, it's hot, tremendously so. They're burning again, in the most pleasant way - and isn't that right? Gabriel, for all that's happened, is still the sun.
Edited 2025-06-13 05:50 (UTC)
temperedguardian: dare its deadly terrors clasp? (what dread grasp)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-13 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
He keeps moving against Gabriel, shifting his position, trying to figure out what suits their mutual desires best, chasing further pleasure - something sharper, something more. (He has some idea, but it's hard to carry out those ideas when his hands are thoroughly occupied.)

It's good, it's good, so much better than good. It feels exhilarating to be carried away, to be able to have something that can carry him away. He doesn't have to think, for once, he only has to feel, as overwhelming and terrifying as that is.

That doesn't stop them from thinking anyway, though. It feels like their heart is squeezing painfully in their chest at Gabriel's neediness, that begging; it's not something they would have ever expected of him. But perhaps that, too, is their own fault; it's not as if they know Gabriel well.

Perhaps they can correct that now.

Their breath catches in their throat at the rough kiss, and they gladly submit to Gabriel's command this time. Their kiss is clumsy but unmistakably passionate, a newfound desire but no less welcome for it. Their fingers tighten in his hair as they press into the kiss like there's nothing else that could possibly be more important, the other angel made the full focus of their attentions and affections.
temperedguardian: (what the hammer? what the chain?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-14 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
Neither of them really have much idea of what they're doing, it seems, but Cassiel is more retiring and thus goes along with Gabriel's ideas in the end. As long as they're both feeling good, that's what truly matters.

They shiver at the way Gabriel's hands run over their body, their breathing ragged, a whine escaping their throat at the other angel's words. They're doing well, they're doing well, it's fine, it's good...

"Good," they manage to gasp. "That's what...that's what I want."

Being touched is a strange feeling after so long being numb to their own body. It's overwhelming, but they don't want it to stop - they'd swallow their discomfort if needed. It feels good to be touched. It feels good to be looked at, to be seen, as if what they wanted was important for anything. They could drown in it.

Still, Gabriel's demanding, pointed movements get a fond little laugh from him; he's more than happy to oblige, to move as he's commanded to. It doesn't take him quite as hard, but he feels Gabriel jolt underneath him, feels the sharp spark of answering pleasure and knows he should definitely do that again.

He frees one hand from Gabriel's hair, drawing it down his body, grasping at his hip in turn. Adjusts himself to see if he can recapture that position, something just right, and grinds against the other angel in such a way that those sharp, bright spikes of pleasure are far more consistent for both of them. It's almost too much - he'll fall off the edge, lose his balance, soon enough - but the sheer intensity of the sensation is enough to make it worth it.
temperedguardian: (could twist the sinews of thy heart?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-18 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Cassiel does not believe in anything, not fate, not the idea that certain people were made for one another - the Father did not carve them for such fickle and frail bonds. Angels were made to serve. It makes the way they move against Gabriel even sweeter, in a strange way; they know it's their choice to do this, to serve another angel the way they should have shown devotion to their duty.

If this is a sin, it's one I chose for myself. It feels so good that maybe they are doing something wrong, but they're past caring. Heaven doesn't have to look.

Gabriel presses his face against their neck and elicits a low, soft moan from them; it's overstimulating, near-unbearable, wonderful to be laid bare this way, to be wanted so clearly. It's terrible in its simplicity. Their hand tightens in his hair, tugging sharply before they remember themselves and loosen their fingers.

The other angel is overwhelming as always. It's something that engenders a deep affection in him, made even more pronounced by how closely they're tangled up in one another; that outpouring of strong emotion and strong sensation is almost effortless, something that yet again the other angel pulls out of him as if there was no weight to it at all.

Crossing that breaking point, where pleasure and passion ignite into white-hot brilliance, is ultimately easy for all the work it took to get this far. Gabriel drags him off that precipice with his usual suddenness, his desperate movement, and then they're falling, crashing, together.

The metaphor thoroughly breaks down at this point, as does Cassiel's ability to describe even to himself the kind of pleasure he's feeling, but given the kind of loud noises he's making he's enjoying himself very much in climax while it lasts. At some point he does kiss Gabriel quite thoroughly, he remembers that much. It's...very nice.
temperedguardian: dare its deadly terrors clasp? (what dread grasp)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-19 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
Cassiel gasps at Gabriel's nails on their spine, burying their face in the other angel's neck as they hold onto him. They let themselves sink into those sensations, the way both their bodies meet and the way it feels, the way Gabriel clutches onto them.

It's intoxicating, really, to see Gabriel like this, a facet he's never seen before. It's something fascinating, something new, something brilliant and beautiful. He'll savor it while it lasts.

The crying, too, is new, though it isn't as pleasurable. They're not sure if it's release or upset or something else; it's not something they can quite understand the impulse to do. Gabriel is passionate, and they are not. While that distance isn't as insurmountable as they once believed it was (and how easy it is, for that perception to change so quickly), they're certainly not the same.

Unsure of what else to do, they simply run their fingers through his hair again, somewhat dazed from their experience. Their breathing is ragged as they fight to catch their breath, still recovering from that blazing, blissful height.
temperedguardian: what the anvil? (in what furnace was thy brain?)

[personal profile] temperedguardian 2025-06-19 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
It's peaceful, for at least a moment. They hold onto that, even as Gabriel shakes himself into awareness, into...

They simply let out a breath they weren't quite aware they were holding when he moves, dropping their hand to make it easier for him. As for themselves, as the glow fades they realize how much effort they'd put into all of this, and that pleasant feeling betrays a deep exhaustion as it fades.

They blink erratically as they get up, picking up discarded clothes (they do have to stifle an exhausted laugh at the fact Gabriel didn't even take his clothes with him; they'll have to return them later). Unlike Gabriel, they're not so concerned for themselves, but they are very much concerned with his feelings....they're too tired to follow up on it now, however.