nate mercer • G A B R I E L (messengerofgod) wrote in mythologs, @ 2012-07-18 11:25:00 |
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Entry tags: | !zurvan, gabriel, war |
easing the tension
Characters: Gabriel (messengerofgod) & War (redhorse)
Date/Time: June 17th, directly following this
Location: Their place in Iriy
Rating: PG-13 for hint of sexy tiems
Warnings: Swearing, sort-of cuddling.
Summary: Affection!
War wasn't sure what part of her brain stopped working when she decided to try on the Iriyian-styled pink fluffy, ruffled dress Death had sent her. Maybe it had been curiosity, maybe momentary stupidity. Slipping it on had been a chore, and War looked at the mirror to stare at someone who was... well completely wearing the wrong thing. It was rather horrific and she began trying to tug it off, of course, of course the damn dress wouldn't come off.
War blamed this on Death, she had probably done this just to make sure someone else sat her dressed in this.
The zipper was stuck, the buttons were out of her reach and War began tugging at the outfit with impatience. Quick, before Gabriel -her unfortunate husband - poked his head around into their bedroom.
He quite literally had jumped at the opportunity to see War in a pink frilly dress; making his way upstairs from his den in a matter of seconds. They had a strange marriage. Or companionship. Whatever you wanted to call it. She tested his patience, which was immense, on purpose and they bickered constantly but here they were. Joined by marriage and a very unfortunate night at a bar.
Gabriel happened to do exactly what she was afraid of -- he peered into their bedroom and spotted her in the garment. He let out a chuckle, truly unable to help it as he watched her tugging and yanking at the article of clothing that was hugging her so tightly. Walking into their bedroom with a wide, amused grin on his face that he half-expected her to try and slap off, Gabe got a better view of it in its entirety. "It doesn't look that horrible," he insisted genuinely. While the dress certainly didn't match her personality it wasn't entirely unbecoming. However his opinion was somewhat biased as he rarely saw her dressed so properly. "Who sent it?" It was no cheap second hand dress; that was for sure.
Sometimes, War expected his patience to run out and have him leave - hey, she was no picnic, in fact marriage had never been in her mind considering ... well, how she was. Gabriel was a brave man, and she wasn't sure what the rest of her family thought of the entire thing. At least he was Ryugunese.
War stopped her yanking when she heard Gabriel chuckle and she turned to glare at him, flustered and irritated, "My sister was bored, so she mailed me this. She wants to know your fucking size, for the record. Probably will send you something too, eventually." Another exasperated huff and she was back to trying to pry the zipper at the back. Christ, it was impossible.
"Are you going to help me or not? Do you want to take a picture while you're at it?"
The look on her face made him smile wider. She was angry and hostile --often-- but given how petite she was in comparison to him it was actually endearing sometimes. "My size? Oh no," he insisted with a shake of his head. "Pink just honestly isn't my color," Gabriel deadpanned. War's family wasn't easily won over but he had done his best to treat them with respect. He felt a certain obligation in protecting War, both because of their marriage but also because she was, now, one of his soldiers. Hopefully that was something they would take into account more often.
Watching her fuss with the dress some more was becoming almost painful to watch -- she really was trying her best to get out of it. "That depends; do we have the camera nearby?" he joked quietly as he stepped behind her quickly. To help but also to avoid her right hook that was rather good. Gabriel gently brushed her hair over to one shoulder so it didn't get snagged at all before trying the zipper. It was an experimental tug to see how stubbornly stuck it truly was. "Worst comes to worse we'll just have to cut it off and explain to your sister before begging forgiveness," he teased though he was honestly considering it if the zipper didn't give way soon.
After a few more forceful tugs, Gabriel was finally able to get the fastener moving freely. Revealing more of her pale, smooth skin caused Gabe to slow his movements. Saying it aloud was done rarely and normally met with a scoff, but she was beautiful. Even with all her... more outspoken qualities. Gripping the device between his thumb and middle finger, he took his time in easing the zipper along its track -- the tip of his index finger trailing down her spine appreciatively.
"There we are," he said quickly after clearing his throat and removing his hand once he realized he was becoming distracted.
"It'd make me feel better if you got stuck in something fucking pink like this." War replied, a little ball of anger and annoyance. However, she knew when Gabriel was trying to be helpful and when he was teasing her. Right now he was being helpful, so War stood still. In all truth, he always managed to take her by surprise- he hadn't left, and then he said such confusing things. War didn't hate him, hell, she didn't even dislike him. She just sometimes didn't know what she should think of him.
The way he gently brushed her hair aside and made a grab at the zipper had War stilling under his touch. She stopped trying to just yank it off and stayed where she was. "My sister didn't get this dress for me to keep it, she will understand when she gets it back in pieces."
Thankfully, Gabriel managed to get the zipper working and War sighed in relief and she felt his hand drift down her spine, finger brushing her skin- and suddenly, she wasn't relaxed anymore. Goosebumps crawled along her flesh and she made a sound of protest when Gabriel removed the little touch he had. War turned, eyes flashing but not with anger, just... something.
Well, fuck it. They were married anyway. It was totally fine to slip her hand along his shirt and pull him towards her. War didn't kiss him, she just... wanted him close. Logical stuff.
Her reply made him smirk with amusement, even with such clear annoyance in her tone. He couldn't exactly blame her for planning to hack the garment up either. It was a shame though, as it wasn't a cheap dress and a gift from her sister -- but it was hers to do whatever she pleased. Gabriel actually sympathized somewhat -- if he had gotten stuck in something pink he probably wouldn't have been at his best, and certainly wouldn't have attempted to wear it again.
He took War's sigh of relief as a silent thank you as the constricting pink dress gave way enough to let her breathe regularly. However innocent the touch had been, the noise she made coupled with the sudden movements as War turned to face him, caused him to brace himself for a slap. Or punch.
It was hard to hide the subtle look of confusion on his expression when she did neither and instead pulled him closer. Gabriel's hands cautiously went to her waist to keep himself from knocking into her from such a forceful tug, his fingers squeezing gently enough for her to feel through the fabric of the dress. All the while he kept her gaze, studying her as if searching for something -- an explanation perhaps. His impulse to ask her what she wanted or what he could do to make her happy was ignored -- there was no use ruining the moment with his big mouth. Not only that but words had actually seemed to fail him at the moment. Gabriel instead simply reached up to place his hand against the side of her face, brushing his thumb along her cheekbone affectionately.
And therein was the dilemma of War, no one had ever touched her like that. Innocent or not, he was very... gentle and War just didn't know anything about that. She understood guns, and breaking bones, mud and ships. Of this? She didn't really get it at all. Also it made her feel rather stupid. The fact he was touching her cheekbone and she hadn't ripped off his hand spoke volumes from someone like War. It was just, it...
There was a conundrum of thoughts tangled in her head, that arose twisty feelings in her stomach. It made her angry, but it also made her weirdly calm. However, because War was not someone who did well with words, instead she leaned her cheek a little against the touch, encouraging it without having to say it out loud.
Those fingers held onto his shirt firmly, not wanting to let him pull back but not knowing how to proceed. Well, she sort of knew what was supposed to happen, but saying it aloud sounded stupid. Even in her head it made her feel stupid. Go figure that War could break someone's mouth without hesitation but she couldn't ask him to kiss her.
When she didn't deny his touch Gabriel realized words were no longer necessary. She still had a good hold of his shirt, not that he was quick to get away from her or anything -- but Gabriel was a gentleman and had taken into account whether or not she was comfortable. The sight lean she gave into his touch was enough reassurance that he didn't need to ask her permission. He still would have, but speaking was a waste at this point. His hand holding her side slid to the small of her back, carefully pulling her closer. She was his wife -- though it was strange just how often he didn't think of her as such. Instead he saw her as his equal. An inspiration even, at times. Their marriage had been any but ordinary as she, was anything but ordinary. And yet, he wouldn't want it any other way. They balanced one another in more ways than one.
He trailed his thumb delicately along her bottom lip to part them before he leaned in closer -- using the same caution he had before until his lips replaced his thumb. It was a soft, tender kiss but full of meaning and unspoken emotion. Gabriel cared for her; it was undeniable. And it wasn't often they shared such a serene moment like this where he could truly show it.
War was lucky to have landed with him, despite the fact that waking up in the mornings married still felt disorienting, she was getting used to it, slowly, baby steps. There were other times that inside War knew, War felt that they were right. Not in a lovers fated way, but something far more important that could not be put into words. It simply was that significant, and that someone who was outside her family was - meant - this much said everything. Sometimes words really weren't necessary.
The kiss was expected and welcome, and she returned it lightly, allowing his show of affection and reciprocating it as best she could. The hold on his shirt loosened slightly and she slipped her hands up to brush his jawline lightly; despite that her pulse was racing hard and the moment seemed rather fragile. If she pushed to hard against him it'd break. War didn't, instead she pulled back slightly for air but moved to meet his lips once more.
Just this time, there was a curious sort of eagerness about it, less affectionate but with War affection was... relative, she could punch you and that could well mean she likes you.
The decision to marry had been forced, as it had all stemmed from him opening his big mouth and trying to help her out of trouble, but he didn't regret it. Not now and not even when they had first made it official on paper and when the arguing and fighting was by far the worst.
Gabriel had thought that was it when she broke the kiss, and he was more than willing to accept the brief display of affection without protest -- but when her lips were pressed against his once more there was something different about the kiss. Despite the rather delicate feel of her fingers along his jaw previously, there was something about how she had kissed him. In no position to complain, he returned it with as much enthusiasm as she gave him; careful not to make it seem as though he was forcing himself upon her. It was something Gabriel would never do -- no meant no.
Their height difference was about a foot and while mostly comical, it was also a bit of an inconvenience. Particularly in times like these. Gabriel's hand drifted from her face as he stooped down somewhat, making an effort to not break the kiss, to wrap his arms around her small frame and slowly lift her as if she were weightless -- ridiculously frilly dress and all.
If Gabriel had told her he didn't regret it, War would've probably not believed him, she wasn't marriage material, pink dress or not. War didn't know how to keep a house, she barely knew how to fit on a proper formal kimono and much of the time preferred a weird mix of male and female clothing that did not constrict her movements. So no, she was not exactly... well yes.
Though she didn't mind being married to Gabriel, despite the insults and the swearing and the fighting. And the throwing... she didn't actually mind. Hell, part of her was rather content at having him (and War was weirdly possessive) and coming home with him and sharing something.
Thank god he lifted her, because that allowed War to slip her arms around his neck and keep close. She would've wrapped her legs but those were currently obstructed by the ridiculous dress. It was only upon that realization that War made a groan of protest. "Can we get me out of this fucking dress first before continuing?"
When she broke the kiss he actually tried to lean into it, reluctant to stop, but her groan and the question that followed made him pause to look at her. What they had wasn't anywhere near perfect and most couldn't make much sense of it but what had started out as a harmless white lie actually developed into something genuine. At least for him; but feelings weren't necessarily something they discussed openly. Letting out a soft chuckle, Gabriel rested his forehead against hers as he hugged her closer for a moment. One arm slid from around her waist so he could trail his hand up the outside of her leg, pushing the fabric of her dress up along with it. Once it was bunched up enough at her waist he let his hand hook at the back of her knee to tug her leg against his side. Stepping backward until he felt the edge of the bed, Gabe carefully sat down, both hands cradling her hips before working the dress up and off.
As much as he had tried to keep himself from asking questions, Gabriel simply couldn't continue --since it was too late to turn back with removing her dress-- without proper reassurance.Despite not forcing her or even really pressuring her into any of it, he still had to be a gentleman and ask. His hands settled innocently on her hips as he tilted his head back enough to look at her -- his gaze respectfully having not drifted below her collarbones yet. "Are you sure?" he questioned in a whisper, unable to help brushing his thumbs against her smooth skin.
War wouldn't have minded him leaning in and not breaking the kiss, but yes, in this moment the dress had to go first. The sooner the better, for various reasons (the one War would claim was that it was uncomfortable and pink, it had nothing - nothing - to do with the fact she wanted him to take it off). Gabriel sometimes felt... War felt, (fucking hell, she felt for someone other than her siblings. It was bizarre. He made it really hard not to like him though, it was something - something or the other. War didn't care to think how this fake marriage had become- or was becoming a real one.
She remained very still as he worked off her dress, shifting slightly on his lap to aid him in the removal of the pink menace. Her hands settled on his shoulders when he was done; War was about to demand what was keeping him from moving onwards when he spoke again.
If this were NYC, and for some reason War had been on Gabriel's lap (archangel or not) she would've told him to shut up, stop asking stupid questions and shoved him backwards to seal his mouth with her own. There would've been no flash of vulnerability, nothing other than War's usual fire - eating away at everything. Black and white, the shades of gray always beneath but never too present.
However, this War was too human without her horseman memories, so for a moment there was a bit of vulnerability that crossed her expression. An anxiety, no doubt, and a lingering affection that remained there even after the anxiety disappeared. It was replaced with a more familiar glare, but it lacked true vitriol. "Yes. Get on with it-" War bit her lip, feeling his fingers touching her skin- even innocently, the sensation was new, pleasant but not muted. Far from it, it was the type of thing War liked. Passion. "-now."
The forceful "now" was all the reassurance Gabriel needed. Had he remembered his archangel memories he would've stopped long ago and this would have never escalated past a simple kiss -- but Gabriel was more human than anything right now and held no qualms about giving in to otherwise sinful impulses. His hands left her sides only long enough to remove his shirt and toss it to the floor to join the heap of pink that was her dress before they were against the small of her back and hugging her close. His lips found hers again, soft and pliable in response until one hand hooked at the back of her knee and tugged her body closer to his - practically wedging them together at the hip. His typical patience was undermined by sudden eagerness as he realized just how much more clothing was separating them -- though Gabriel had no intentions of rushing once their clothes were off.
Even despite the hurry he was still archangel-y, even without the memories, in that he was intent on keeping her in his lap rather than rolling over onto the bed and pinning her in dominance. This instead was a position of equality for them. (That and their height differences were much more complimentary this way.) Which was something Gabriel tried to maintain in their relationship always -- keeping her as his equal and never anything less. Even when carrying out missions or training exercises he had a hard time pulling rank on her. That wasn't to say he didn't ever, because orders were orders; but she fought him every step of the way typically and got away with far more than any other soldier on his ship. War had certainly made a genuine soft spot for herself in Gabriel's heart.———
A while later, a relaxed, spineless War had her head tucked in the crook beneath his shoulder and jaw. Her breathing was slowly returning to normal, but her heart was still racing. She was content, comfortable and just... well, for the first time she was appreciating all the benefits of her marriage. Her arms looped around Gabriel and her hands spidered up to trace his spine. Maybe that pink dress was not so bad after all. Whatever, War wasn't going to over think the fact her body seemed very content to stay closely wedged against Gabriel's. She wasn't going to think about how her lips returned to his now and again - light and playful.
It was that insistence on equality that made War really fond of Gabriel, she would have never been able to be submissive in a marriage. Gabriel respected that and he worked hard in keeping them equal; wordlessly War was conscious of it and grateful.
Gabriel wasn't so incredibly uptight or tense that he couldn't uncoil and relax. In fact it was quite the opposite. Though given his military position and sense of responsibility for those under his command, and the respect he held for his commanding officers, he did carry a lot on his shoulders at times. He often carried it with his usual calm and casual demeanor, but the stress was still there under the surface. Especially lately as things just didn't seem right. But regardless of the events of the past few days, with War perched so perfectly in his lap as their bodies recovered, Gabriel felt entirely relaxed. So much that even the urge to lay back onto the bed was dismissed on account of the thought of having to actually move from their current embrace was far too troublesome. His arm was still wrapped around her and his hand practically glued to her hip, though his grip had eased considerably to simply hold her against him for as long as she would allow. Nevermind the fact that it all felt incredibly surreal that his wife, War, was so calmly resting and seemingly disarmed.
He made it a point to return the light smattering of kisses, even if his reactions were a little bit delayed with the distraction of her fingertips trailing his back. Lulling his head back enough to break the pattern of kisses, Gabe let out a heavy, content sigh before resting his forehead against hers. "That dress was nice, though," he finally said with a smirk, breaking the silence and hugging her closer as a distraction of his own in case the comment was still unwelcome after everything.
It was weird. It wasn't like this had been a revelation or a life-changing... well, it did change a few things, and it changed more than what war expected. Gabriel was... different, and War couldn't help but think if that was how Death saw Uriel. Different. There was something oddly comfortable about things now, something right, like this action was the final test in some sort of game. He was alright to trust, and that finally had sunk into War's thick skull. It was weird. It wasn't bad. The thoughts kept going around and around, War couldn't really pin them down - nor did she want to. This felt good, it was good and it was best left alone.
Being able to touch him was nice, the really just touch him and not hold back; War always touched him so carefully, so cautiously unless she was going to punch him. And right now? Right now that had changed, who knew what else would be affected by what they've done.
Gabe was right to expect a violent reaction to those words, but instead War just gave a soft laugh, "I'll fucking make Death send you one, see how you like it." She brushed their noses together and then dropped her head onto his shoulder, closing her eyes. "Five minutes." Making a point that they should most certainly, continue exploring this new aspect of their marriage. In five minutes, once she'd caught her breath; apparently the racing heart was a side-effect that would not quickly fade.