angelic_gabe (angelic_gabe) wrote in shadowlands_ic, @ 2018-01-12 23:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | gabriel allen, merrick |
Who: Gabriel Allen, Merrick
What: Scene 1: Merrick gets a new apartment. Scene 2: Gabriel and Merrick attempt to go skating, and run into some unpleasant memories.
Where: Various locations around London
When: 11 December, 12 January
Rating: PG-13; suggestiveness, non-sexual nudity
Two parts bravery, one part smarts, and one part magical trickery. Merrick had created their own luck four to five nights out of each week. Each time, they went out in a male form - altering their appearance just enough to avoid detection. The djinn had gotten better and amassed a sizable fortune. Staying at the Osiris Club involved dues and payments, and the djinn felt it was time to gain more independence, another step of normalcy.
Today, Merrick left a note for Gabriel at the front desk and took their seat at the bar.
Gabriel slid into the seat thirty minutes later, looking over at Merrick with a friendly grin. “How’ve you been keeping, then?” He asked. “Well, I hope.” It’d been nearly two weeks since he’d last seen the djinn, and he knew their adjustment had been a slow one.
Sipping their bourbon, Merrick smiled as heard and felt Gabriel take his seat. They looked over at him and grinned. “Yes, I have been keeping well. I hope you have been the same.” The djinn sighed as they sat their glass on the bar. “I desire your assistance this afternoon.”
“Really?” Gabriel replied, pleased. “Well, then. How may I be of assistance, my dear Merrick?”
Turning a bit in their seat to face the Incubus, Merrick smoothed their sleeves. “I am looking for my own lodgings, a flat. And I am quite sure you know of such areas and I trust you opinion.” The djinn smiled. They had missed Gabriel.
Gabriel clapped a hand on Merrick’s shoulder. “Lovely,” he said, grinning. “Let us see where we might begin. I’m assuming you’d like your rooms furnished, yes? Perhaps in a building that offers maid service. There’s adverts in the paper, of course, or we might talk to an agent.” He paused. “How much per week do you anticipate?”
Merrick’s smile deepened at Gabriel’s clapping a hand on their shoulder. “Modestly furnished will do. I don’t know. I haven’t had an opportunity to look in decades. I am not sure. Perhaps two pounds a week.” The djinn frowned.
“Excellent,” Gabriel replied, in good spirits. They took advantage of the most recent edition of The London Times (provided immediately by a helpful concierge) over glasses of scotch and bourbon respectively, and Gabriel quickly crossed off some places based on price and neighborhood, circling a few possibilities.
Smiling, Merrick nodded and was intensely focused as they went through the newspaper and found possibilities. Normalcy was something temporarily strange. It was fascinating to the djinn. Sipping their bourbon, they smiled still.
Calling for their coats and hailing a cab, they were roundly disappointed by the first and second options (the price was far too high for what was being offered), but the third had some distinct promise. A doorman, weekly maid service, three rooms rather pleasantly furnished, and a small balcony overlooking a park.
They kept decently close to Gabriel, looking in on the options. Yes, too pricy. The third was lovely. The maid service would be something Merrick would have to get used to. It was a smaller scale luxury compared to the Osiris Club. And the view of the park - breathing room.
Gabriel served as reference, and the building manager required a month’s rent in advance besides, but Merrick didn’t seem phased by the cost, and rather pleased with the rooms in question, and the two took the opportunity to make their way back to the Osiris to pick up Merrick’s few belongings from their current room.
Things went through more smoothly than Merrick had thought and that smile stayed as they paid the month’s rent in advance. The journey back to the Osiris Club was quiet and they liked it.
“Do you need help with rent?” Gabriel asked as they made their way back to the djinn’s temporary quarters, a little curious as to how the djinn came by their funds. Oh, he knew the djinn had membership at Osiris, which was no small cost, but they appeared to live an otherwise simple life, without much by way of material possessions.
Then again, they were a djinn. Perhaps they could simply snap their fingers and have ten pound notes appear.
“No, I do not think so,” Merrick shook their head as they gathered the small amount of personal items and placed them in a satchel. Most of what they held dear in terms of such material things were safe in their vessel. “I have saved up some recent good fortunes.” They replied as they turned to face the Incubus.
“Oh?” Gabriel replied. “Good to hear, my dear. What are you looking forward to most, in this new place of yours?” He’d thought Merrick would have more -- but then again, the djinn did conjure their own clothing, which saved a great deal of space, he supposed.
Continuing to smile, Merrick nodded. “I’m not quite sure. Perhaps a sense of having a place that is essentially my own. And the privacy of a personal life. Strange sounding isn’t?” The djinn wrinkled their nose. Even in their vessel, Merrick didn’t have much. Being enslaved often made one consider the finite.
“Not in the least,” Gabriel replied. The Osiris, from what he could see, was much more like a hotel than a true place of one’s own. “Would you mind if I went back with you, to settle you in properly?” Gabriel continued, slipping his arm through the djinn’s. “I must admit,” he added, with a grin, “I also want to take a proper inventory so that I might be rather extravagant with a housewarming gift or three.”
“Good. At times, my bluster turns to awkwardness.” Though The Osiris was discreet and exclusive - Merrick felt eyes at times. “I wouldn’t mind at all.” The djinn smiled, loving the feeling of Gabriel’s strong arm against theirs. Then Merrick smirked. “By all means. I’m looking forward to it...and a wardrobe to hold pieces of my wardrobe that I can keep permanently.”
“See, now,” Gabriel replied, with a grin as they made their way out to a waiting cab, “that’s a point of curiosity to me, given you can change clothes with a thought. What would you care to have in your wardrobe? What items would be worthy of permanent status?” He looked over at the djinn. “Or is it more to have something for the sake of having it, because you can? Because you have a wardrobe of your own? Setting down some roots?”
With the small satchel hanging off their shoulder, Merrick smiled. “Perhaps to have things. To go through the ordinary or mundane that is normalcy. There are necessities creatures like many of us don’t need, but find fascinating. But I suppose one unlike us would thirst to be what I am.”
“What’s the saying?” Gabriel replied, “The corn in another man’s ground seems more fertile?” He brushed Merrick’s shoulder with his own as the cab clattered through the streets. “I suppose I’m lucky in my happiness. I rather like who I am.” He laughed a little. “I shall have to get you some frightfully ordinary things. A broom and a dustpan. A rack of spices. Dishrags. A teapot. Towels” He grinned affectionately while looking over at Merrick. “His and hers dressing gowns, depending on your mood,” he added, “and some naughty little things in silk, because I’m a demon, darling,” he purred. “Naughtiness is rather a necessity, for me, at least.”
Shrugging, Merrick smiled at Gabriel’s brushing his shoulder against theirs. “Some who are not as special as you or I would desire to be.” The djinn breathed. They felt limited, closed off. But these steps of ordinary, normal person things made them feel a bit more free. “A teapot...yes, please.” They smiled over at Gabriel. “Mmm,” Merrick smirked. “And yet I am thought to be a demon as well. Naughtiness can be seen as passion and free-spiritedness as well. And I shall give you a presentation of wearing such little things.”
“And how lovely, that you get a chance to explore that free-spiritedness further.” He grinned. “It is a constant pull, isn’t it? Between one’s constraints and one’s desires?”
It made sense, in a poetic sort of way, that Gabriel would be so drawn to the djinn -- one demon to another.
The carriage came to a stop at Merrick’s new place, and Gabriel looked over at the djinn, raising an eyebrow. “What would you prefer first?” He said, a slow grin spreading across his face. “We go shopping for teapots and dustbins, or thoroughly christen your new bed?”
“It is,” Merrick breathed a sigh. The djinn was often drawn to someone who was selfless yet in need.
Looking over at the Incubus, they thought for a moment and grinned. “Both are very enticing…” The djinn winked. “Yet the latter sounds lovely.”
“Lead on, then, my dear,” Gabriel replied, looking over at Merrick with a sparkle in his eye.
Smiling, they brushed their shoulder against Gabriel’s before stepping out of the carriage and leading the Incubus into the building. The djinn plucked the key from their pocket and swiftly unlocked the door, anxious for the priceless privacy of their own residence.
Gabriel showed up to Merrick’s new flat with a few rather indulgent gifts, but, then again, he was feeling the holiday spirit, and he figured the djinn would be less likely to fully enjoy the season without a bit of a push.
Upon being greeted by the djinn in their male form, Gabriel grinned, and raised the boxes he’d brought. “This might be a touch better suited for your other look, darling,” he said, kissing Merrick on the cheek once the door was safely closed behind them. “I thought I might take you out skating, if you’re amenable.”
The winter holidays were an annoying and trigger-prone time of year for the djinn. Being captive entertainment at the Institute’s parties was one example. Hearing the knock, Merrick moved through their flat and opened the door to see their guest. “Hello, Gabriel,” the djinn smiled with their brown eyes.
“You shouldn’t have,” Merrick breathed upon seeing the boxes. Once the door was closed, the djinn returned the kiss to the cheek. “Oh? Interesting.” They blinked. “Skating? Mmm. Sounds nice.” Then they held out their arms for the boxes.
Gabriel handed them over gladly. “I ought to get you a fur gentleman’s hat and cape too, in the Russian style, for the sake of equity,” he added. “It really is wonderfully unfair, your getting to wear the current styles from both sides of the shop.”
He grinned as they opened the first box. “Well?” He asked, eagerly.
“Don't worry yourself,” Merrick smiled as they set the boxes on a table and opened the first and smaller box. Their eyes brightened as they reached in and lifted out the fur muff. “How wonderful! Thank you, Gabriel.” The djinn looked over the Incubus with a smirk.
“I thought the white would set off your eyes rather nicely,” he replied, resting his chin on his hand. “Go on, then, one more.”
It took some getting used to, having the djinn in one form opening presents intended for their other look, but they seemed pleased enough by it. Gabriel had to admit, he found the entire premise intriguing and delightful.
Setting the muff on the table, Merrick smiled and resisted changing their eye color at the moment. Even a close friend could find it off-putting. The djinn opened the other box and found a matching fur capelet and hood. Their eyes widen as lifted the garment out of the box. Receiving gifts for gifts’ sake instead of attempted bribery was a welcome gesture to return to the djinn.
“You are too kind,” Merrick spoke as they raised the fur-covered gift up to their face to feel the initial softness. Then they turned and closed the distance between Gabriel and them.
“Thank you, Gabriel,” the djinn smiled and leaned in to press a kiss to the Incubus’s lips.
“You’re quite welcome,” Gabriel purred back, pleased, his hand resting on the djinn’s hip as they nestled closer. “...And are far too tempting for your own good,” he added, briefly sliding his hand over to squeeze Merrick’s ass lightly. “Well,” he said, grinning, “would you like to change and go out for a bit of ice skating?”
He paused a little, and looked over at the djinn. “Would it be… I’d understand if you’d rather not,” he added, as a disclaimer, “but I wouldn’t mind watching sometime. To see how this handsome form…” his hand brushed the djinn’s broad shoulders, ran down their muscled back to rest once again on their hip “turns into my blue eyed little dancer.”
The closest he’d come to seeing it had been when Merrick had first revealed their ability to change forms -- approaching Gabriel as they looked now, and, once upstairs at the Club, changing briefly behind a door into the form Gabriel had known up until that point.
“Mmmm…,” Merrick hummed at Gabriel’s words and his hands as they moved over them and squeezed their arse. Their hands gently pawed at the Incubus’s chest as they held the capelet over their arms.
Then the djinn blinked slowly at Gabriel’s tentative request. “Are you sure? I would not want to frighten you.” Their right hand reached up to caress their friend’s face. Yet they hoped and more believed Gabriel had seen much in the way of the magical.
“I don’t think you could ever frighten me,” Gabriel replied, quietly, tipping down to kiss Merrick sweetly. “You’re magnificent, darling. I’m only curious,” he added. “I’ve already seen quite a bit of you, after all,” he continued with a grin.
Merrick’s smile reached their eyes once more at Gabriel’s words, slight creases at the outer corners knowing deep down they could frighten the Incubus. The djinn returned the kiss and sighed. “Thank you. Some curiosity is not terrible.” Merrick smirked. “Then let me show you.” They eased away and motioned to the nearly closed doorway to their bedroom.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow and followed after the djinn.
He hadn’t yet had a chance to see what Merrick had done to decorate the bedroom since taking occupancy of the rooms -- a quick glance showed not much had been added, other than a few knick-knacks on a shelf that had been bare, and a collection of toiletries on the vanity, but his attention quickly returned to the djinn in front of him.
Last time, Merrick had turned quickly, so he was curious as to what he’d see -- and he found it oddly touching that they would want to change in the bedroom instead of the main room, as if it were more of a private thing, an intimate thing (which he supposed this was).
Merrick wasn’t ready yet to fully decorate their new home. They were still antsy and paranoid. A bag was still next to their dresser in case relocation was needed. The djinn came to a stop in front of the mirror above the vanity.
“Have a seat if you like,” Merrick spoke as they laid the capelet on the bed before unbuttoning their collar. Dealing with clothes they had not created was more interesting and entertaining. Besides, it kept a part of djinn’s mind busy.
Gabriel shrugged out of his coat and rested it and his hat beside him on the bed as he took a set on the edge, looking up at Merrick’s strong, capable fingers as they undid their shirt.
The notion of transformation was something he’d always found interesting -- and until recently, had only ever encountered it in the mer, wolves, and dragons (well, dragon) that he’d met during the course of his time on earth. But to have a being who existed without form, who put on the trappings of a person, and could shift from one to another -- that was entirely new.
“Why did you settle on these two?” He asked, looking up at Merrick.
Transformation had been a routine thing for the djinn in the years prior to the Institute. Yet the two forms they had chosen to use since were out of secrecy despite the Institute knowing the male form only in those fifty years in captivity. Not once in those years had they taken their natural form.
Merrick watched Gabriel as the Incubus sat down, their fingers unbuttoning their shirt to reveal flesh. Then they unfastened their cuffs.
For a moment, the djinn stilled at Gabriel’s question. A flicker of trauma and fear fluttered in their heart.
“This one,” Merrick began to answer, gesturing to themselves, “I like the features. I believe I saw a portrait many years ago.” They pulled the ends of their shirt out of their trousers and shrugged the garment off. “The female form...I saw someone similar while one of my first few one-day allowances out of captivity about forty-five years ago. The pale blue eyes with pale skin, and lithe frame…” They sighed and looked down at Gabriel.
“I like the features too,” Gabriel replied, reaching out and grasping Merrick’s hand briefly. “Thank you, my darling,” he added, looking up at the djinn. There was something incredibly bittersweet about Merrick’s seeing the woman during a moment of freedom, and deciding to take on that form. “I’m glad I’ve gotten to see both of them,” he added. “Each a rather uniquely lovely vessel for a lovelier creature.”
A soft smile spread across Merrick’s lips at Gabriel’s reply and grasping their hand. “You are one of few who have seen both. You’re welcome,” they nodded as they bent down and removed their shoes and socks. “This one, I think, is the most unassuming. Not too muscular, but regal,” Merrick described as they straightened up to stand again. Their hands went to their trousers and unfastened them. Immodest to a degree, the djinn pushed the trousers of their thin hips and let them fall around their ankles before stepping out of them. They stood naked in front of Gabriel - their eyes on his.
Gabriel’d seen his lover naked before -- many times -- but it was most often while in the throes of passion, with both their blood running hot, and this seemed far more innocent, and very nearly sweet.
He looked up at Merrick, meeting their gaze evenly, curious as to what the change would look like.
This disrobing and standing naked in front of someone without immediately commencing in relations was usually for horribly traumatic examinations and experiments that now only Merrick remembered. The djinn kept their eyes on Gabriel’s - using that as an anchor not to sink into panic.
Holding onto Gabriel’s words - I don’t think you could ever frighten me, Merrick brought their hands over their face and smoothed them upwards and over their hair. Immediately their facial bone structure began to change along with the length and color of their hair. The djinn brought their hands around and ran them over their collarbones and chest as the changes followed more like sculpture than cracking of bones changing shape and external parts shrinking or enlarging. The djinn’s chest and torso narrowed and their small breasts took shape.
When their hands came to their waist. Merrick knelt down and lifted their hands from their skin to lay them on their feet. Then they smoothed them up their legs and stood back up. They flashed a shade of modesty when they cupped their privates. In seconds, their whole form was that of the little dancer of a woman Gabriel knew.
Merrick’s now pale blue eyes shown down at the Incubus. They gave him a smile mixed in mischievousness and a dash of nerves.
Gabriel’s expression was closer to that of wonder.
He’d seen glamours before, Una was particularly fond of them, but they tended to be surface deep -- not even, really -- a sort of suspended trick of the eye -- a light layer of cloth draped artfully over a body. This, however, was something entirely different -- Merrick was molding themselves like a master sculptor, reforming their body with a sort of power that was effortlessly elegant and breathtaking, and playful all at the same time.
He reached out to grasp at Merrick’s hand, now slim-fingered and delicate boned.
“Magnificent,” he exhaled. “Truly, darling.”
Merrick could see the wonder in Gabriel’s face and their smile softened.
The djinn could change forms in a blink of an eye or take the time they did in this instance. For safety and security, Merrick often changed in the shadows or a private room.
Their fingers curled around Gabriel’s larger and warm hand.
“Thank you,” Merrick breathed as they stood a bit shorter in stature compared to their male form.
Gabriel swallowed his eagerness -- it was all too easy to fall into something more salacious, especially given Merrick’s current state of undress, and the far too tempting energy trapped in such a beautiful form.
It took a certain degree of restraint, then, to pull their hand up to kiss gently at their knuckles, and nothing more. “Might I help you dress, darling?” He asked.
Merrick wouldn’t deny they had thoughts of doing what they had in the past when they were such a state. But not right now. Breathing in slowly and exhaling, the djinn nodded.
“Yes, please,” they smiled at the kiss and question. “In my wardrobe. I think I have a dark blue dress that will go perfectly with your gifts.”
While Gabriel was far more adept at undressing a lady, or at least the form of a lady, he did have nimble fingers, and managed to lend enough of a hand without getting too in the way. The end result was more than satisfactory -- the grey fur of the capelet set off the blue of the dress and their eyes rather nicely, and he couldn’t help but feel pleased he’d chosen something so suitable for at least part of Merrick -- the form he’d first met them in, and one he felt a certain sentiment towards.
He got his coat and hat, and gallantly offered his arm as they made their way from the building. “Tell me how you’re liking your new rooms?” Gabriel inquired as they made their way towards the street. “Do they suit you?”
Merrick loved the idea and execution of being respectfully dressed by someone and more so if the person was Gabriel. They styled their look brunette hair into a decent bun and smiled as they settled the capelet in place. It was a sentiment returned that Gabriel had been the only person who had been physically and emotionally close to them in this form.
Taking up the muff, Merrick took Gabriel’s arm. “My new rooms are well. It is still a bit new and disorienting. But I think I will manage. Hmm? I believe so.” They gently patted the Incubus’s arm.
The two caught a hansom cab, and made their way to the park, where there was a pond that’d been converted to an ice-skating rink complete with a small stand where skates and chairs could be rented, and hot drinks purchased, and a few rows of benches had been set up for those who wished to watch.
“Now, have you ever been skating?” He asked, as he knelt to lace up their boots, looking up at the djinn. “I certainly don’t mind your hanging on my arm if you need to, dearest,” he added with a smile.
Merrick was thrilled and delighted at the prospect of getting out and enjoying some time with Gabriel. And ice skating - something they had not done before.
“Would it surprise you if I said ‘No’?” They winked as they gently brushed Gabriel’s forehead with their thumb. The djinn looked over at the skaters moving on the ice.
Gabriel grinned broadly. “It would,” he replied, “but I am beyond happy that I can introduce you to something new. I can’t imagine it happens terribly often.”
He offered an arm to Merrick so the two of them could (slowly, carefully) make their way over to the ice, and once they reached the pond’s edge, he looked over at Merrick. “Come on, darling,” he said, “I’ve got you.”
The djinn grinned and nodded, “You’re quite right. And ice was something normally avoided.”
Merrick took Gabriel’s arm and kept their eyes on their skate-clad feet until they stopped and looked up at the Incubus. “With your guidance,” they replied. The djinn looked over at the frozen pond and took a step onto it.
A new experience experienced like a normal mortal creature, Merrick ecstatic. Blushing from more than the cold, they looked over at Gabriel for a moment before looking at the other skaters. One of them they recognized. And the djinn began to tremble.
“It’ll be quite alright, dearest,” Gabriel replied, wrapping his arm around Merrick. “Don’t you fret. You won’t fall on my watch.”
He then spied Merrick’s face, which had turned an ashen color, their eyes haunted, and his note of cheer died in his throat. He steered them gently away from the ice, and to a bench.
“Whatever’s the matter, my dear?” He asked, concerned.
One of their torturers, not McClintock but one of those who sliced and vivisected them. All Merrick could think of was the disregard, the pain, the instant despair of believing they would never be free of the Institute’s hold.
The djinn was unaware of their physical reactions and how Gabriel has steered them away and to the bench until he spoke again.
It took a few seconds as tears formed in their eyes. Then Merrick breathed, “...Can we go...please?” The djinn didn’t realize their grip on Gabriel’s arm has become white-knuckle.
“Of course,” Gabriel replied, frowning in worry, dropping to one knee to unlace Merrick’s skates as quickly as he could manage. “Of course, dearest. I’m so very sorry,” he added, quietly, not sure what had shaken the djinn.
“There,” he said, before tackling his own. “Nearly done.”
The djinn sat down and loosened their grip on Gabriel’s arm to only hold his sleeve, slowly closing off mentally as they had with each procedure the Institute’s doctors and scientists conducted. When wishes were utilized to make them physically compliant, there was little use for them to verbally spite them.
Merrick sat there staring blankly at man who had once tortured them but no longer had any memory of it.
Gabriel’s own skates were taken off with trembling fingers, his eyes darting up to look at Merrick’s blank expression worriedly as he did so. Finally, the blasted things were off, and he reached for Merrick’s hand, holding it in both of his. “Come on, my darling,” he said, “let’s get you home, and get some tea in you.”
He knew Merrick to be secretive -- they’d taken a while to reveal they could change form, and a while beyond that as well to tell Gabriel that they were a djinn, and while he knew Merrick had escaped an ordeal, a place where they’d been held for fifty years, they never spoke much of it at all, and very little (if anything) of their life before. Gabriel could read between the lines -- whatever they’d faced had been difficult indeed, and he could respect his friend’s privacy, but not knowing made his imagination run rampant.
He paused, brushing Merrick’s cheek gently with one of his hands, before standing. “Come on,” he said, gently, pulling Merrick slowly to their feet.
Merrick blinked finally when Gabriel brushed their cheek. They loosely held his hand and rose to their feet at the Incubus’s pull. Their pale blue eyes flared bright red for a second at the feral part of them quietly seething underneath.
Nodding, the djinn breathed and turned to head back to their flat.
Gabriel caught the flash of red, and managed to catch his own burst of worry (which wouldn’t be terribly productive), and walked Merrick to the cab.
After a few minutes of silence, Gabriel reached for Merrick’s hand.
“I’m sorry that didn’t go well, dearest,” he said, carefully. “Would you care to talk about it at all, or just get home and rest for a bit?”
Merrick wanted to fall apart, cry, scream, tear something apart - what they couldn’t do before. Yet remained blank as they walked with Gabriel to the cab and climbed in.
The tiniest hint of a flinch flickered underneath the surface. Merrick then gripped Gabriel’s hand.
“The skating was fine. I…” The djinn began calmly and their voice began to shake. “...mmmsaw someone there who…,” they shook their head.
Gabriel frowned. Someone from the djinn’s past, then, and by the look on their face, someone not associated with particularly pleasant memories. “Do you think they saw you?” He replied, keeping his voice low and calm. “Are we in danger of being followed?”
“No,” Merrick frowned and looked down at their joined hands. “They didn’t see me.” The djinn was breathing hard, panic setting in with their mind reliving the fear that coated the past trauma. “Not being followed. They don’t remember me.” Merrick was mentally grasping at Gabriel’s low and calm voice as a tether.
“Good,” Gabriel replied, his mouth tightening. “That’s good. You’re safe, then.” He rested his free hand over Merrick’s. “You’re safe, and they can’t hurt you.”
The djinn breathed deeply and nodded. The panic was still fresh in their mind, but they found Gabriel soothed them. “Safe,” Merrick echoed and rested their cheek against his shoulder.
Gabriel kissed Merrick’s temple. “We’re nearly home,” he said, quietly. “Should I send for your Mr Green?” He asked, looking out the window, wanting to make sure. “Is there anything else I can do?”
“No, no need to send for Mr. Green. Can you stay with me for a little while?” Merrick whispered. Their trembling had ebbed a bit, but the irrational, memory-revived fear remained.
“Of course,” Gabriel replied, settling back into the cab and wrapping his arm around Merrick, kissing their temple. “Of course, dearest. What say you we get back to your place, I fix you a big mug of tea, and then we curl up in one of your chairs together, hm?”
“Thank you, Gabriel. That sounds nice,” Merrick softly replied as they leaned against him. Deep underneath the surface, they were insanely angry with the Institute and their torturers and also displeased with their own trauma-induced weakness and fragility.
“As long as you’d like,” Gabriel added, smoothing his hand on their back. “You’re safe. You’re safe, and I’ve got you.”