Book I: Avi's Angel

Possibilities

:Okay, let me have it,: Gabriel said. He was as sick of the silent treatment as Avi. The only difference was, he did not sleep.
   She calmly tidied the room, ignoring his presence as best she could.
   :Do you want me to apologize?:
   She sighed, put the last item away. :Why?:
   :Pardon?:
   :Why would you apologize to me?:
   He was momentarily at a loss. :Because you seem upset.:
   She rammed her hands into her sleeves. :"Upset" is putting it mildly. Honestly, I feel used.:
   He could not fault her for feeling that way. But he did not understand it, either. :You enjoyed it. I think we all did.:
   :Yeah, 'cause that sentence isn't weird enough!: She paced a bit, her steps soundless on the carpet. Gabriel stood still, watching her curiously.
   :Kissing is supposed to be private! Unless you're into having multiple partners at once, which I'm not--wasn't. I was straight meat and potatoes.: She stopped, would have blushed if she could. Fortunately, he hadn't caught on that those were nicknames.
   :It wasn't... We can't... We sort of left him hanging, you know. That's not exactly the nicest thing to do.:
   He smirked. :I saw nothing "hanging".:
   :OHFORPETE'SSAKE! I did not need to know that, Gabriel!:
   :I have been told it is a natural reaction.:
   She threw up her hands. :Yeah, because you know what kissing leads to? Especially naked kissing? Sex!:
   If she'd hoped to shock him, she was disappointed. He knew the basics of intercourse, even if he did not/could not participate.
   :You knew it wasn't possible! That is called leading a guy on, and it's considered rude!:
   :Technically, it is possible...:
   :No! We are not having this discussion! I don't care how curious you are, I can not have sex with you in my head! Plus, I doubt I would get anything out of the ordeal.:
   :You mean orgasm?:
   :Okay, I am not hearing this! It's like having the sex talk with my parents!: She would have clapped her hands over her ears, if it would have made a difference.
   :I fail to see how sex would be an ordeal,: he continued, dauntless.
   She scrubbed her face in frustration. :I am not, repeat not using the energy of my immortal soul to fuel the curiosity of a couple of randy men! Not when I know just how much energy it takes!:
   He didn't understand why it should use more energy than brushing hair, or scrubbing a back.
   :There is a lot of touching, if it's done right. Judging from the way he dances, I imagine there would be a lot of touching. Everywhere.:
   The light began to dawn. :But surely once would not--:
   She laughed, but it was not a pretty sound. :If you think we'd get away with one, you don't know men very well. Once they get a taste, they become insatiable beasts for days, weeks, or months. Very rarely, it can last for years.:
   Shock rolled off him in waves. :You would be drained well before your due time!:
   :Exactly! If you're that curious, why don't you find a nice female angel to try it with?:
   She felt sadness and regret from him. :We do not have the capacity.:
   Chagrin gripped her tight. :I'm sorry, I didn't think. Well, next time you want to kiss somebody, my cheek is available. Please don't lead him on, okay?:
   Gabriel looked at her strangely. At least, the face aimed her way did. :I do not know that it is the same. We do not have bodies.:
   She rolled her eyes, stalked up to him, and kissed the cheek nearest her. :You have much to learn, dude. Kissing is as much about intent as actual contact.:
   Gabriel touched his cheek, dumbfounded. It wasn't the same, but she was correct. He had felt something!
   Satisfied she'd made her point, she "powered down" for the night.
   The next morning, while they fried eggs, she warned him that things were bound to be awkward when Avi woke up.
   :Should we erase his memory?:
   :No. He'd still be curious, and I might have to slap him next time.:
   :How do you know there would be a next time?:
   :If we kept erasing his memory, he'd keep kissing us--me--whoever...:
   Only one of them was surprised when long, hirsute arms circled their waist.
   She slapped at his arms. "Hsst! You're going to get burned by--yeah, that." A glob of grease landed on his arm, and was quickly shaken off. They tsked at him, set the eggs aside, and turned the stove off.
   "Let us see. Hmm, seems your hair saved you from harm. What were you thinking?"
   His hazel eyes misted over. "I was just trying to apologize for last night."
   "Oh, ohh come here. I'm sorry," she crooned comfortingly. The last thing she wanted was to make him cry, and anyway, she'd heard his hugs were legendary.
   :I do not know about legendary, but if this is a hug, I could get used to it.:
   She swallowed a chuckle at Gabriel's reaction to his first hug.
   She appreciated, too, the fact that although his arms were longer than her torso was wide, Avi's arms overlapped well below her breasts.
   He kissed their cheek in parting, but it was the kind one dispenses at a party like hors d'oeuvres.
   They set two plates of food on the table today. Kevin was bound to feel neglected if he didn't get breakfast once in a while. Avi woke him up, and he was pleasantly surprised.
   "You made me breakfast? Thanks!" Angel happened to be positioned behind Avi, so he assumed his best friend was thanking her. It made him happy to see them getting along.
   While the boys ate, she marveled anew at her life--or rather, her afterlife. She still wasn't entirely sure why she had to be dead to serve as a Vessel, but it had been her choice.
   :You had only to ask, and I would have told you.:
   :Oh.:
   There was a long pause.
   :Well?:
   :I did say that you had to ask.:
   She ground her teeth, glad to be standing behind Avi. :Why did I have to die first?:
   :Technically, your body still lives. Your brain is "dead", because you are no longer inside that body.:
   :So I'm lying in hospital somewhere? Probably not; they pull the plug if you're braindead.:
   He shook his great head. :Your body still responds automatically to stimuli.:
   :Okay, but why bother keeping my shell alive at all?:
   She got the impression he thought she was missing something obvious. :If your body died, you would be pulled to Heaven. You are needed on Earth.:
   That actually made sense. :But why don't you use the whole kit and caboodle? Why just the soul?:
   The episodes of Supernatural with vessels getting sores, or outright exploding, because they couldn't contain angelic energy, paraded through her mind.
   :Oh. Why do you need me at all, though? Your voice doesn't break windows or electronics, like it does on the show. Why don't you skip the middle woman?:
   A warmth flooded her, head to toe. It was approval, appreciation, and a hundred other unnameable things she'd craved in life.
   :Yes, little one, you can hear my Voice. He, however, cannot. We tried. You may also have noticed a certain friction between us. I needed a human perspective, preferably female.:
   That surprised her.
   :We have observed humanity for aeons. Females, in general, tend to be more compassionate. Mothers tend to be more wise, as well. You were ideal, in that you had experienced motherhood, but did not have the unfinished business that children become.:
   She swallowed a wave of bile at the reminder of her children. He was right: if they had lived with her, she never would have volunteered.
   :I suppose compassion is important for a Guardian Angel.:
   :Indeed. They have broken their fast. We must depart.: