(Untitled)

[grey_gabriel]

Who: Az and Gabe
When: January 18th, 6 pm-ish
Where: Az's chambers
What: Gaze fluff.

Johnson had relayed the news once Az was settled as comfortably as possible, and frustration rented Marion's features. Az needed to be taken care of, surely, but she wanted to see that man? To say the least, she hadn't heard very nice things about Gabriel, and she

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[grey_gabriel]

He made a noise of understanding as she rejected the offer of water, continuing the pattern of running his fingers through her hair. While he wasn't sure if it bothered her or not, she hadn't told him to stop, so he had no plans of spoiling a rare opportunity himself. Thankfully, the small nap they had just had renewed his energy, so when she began to share her dream, it wasn't difficult to be attentive.

Unsurprisingly Az's nightmare had been about the previous night, and although he had only caught glimpses of the action, it was probably accurate. He had no doubt Zero would have blamed her, or held a gun to her... the man did his deeds through psychology, allowing his words to make his targets doubt themselves and create fear. Obviously his tactics worked, if the eldest princess' state was any indication. Of course, her own lover striking her didn't help the matter either.

"Do you want me to leave now?" he asked. "So you can get some rest?" he bit his lip, guessing the answer would be for him to stay. Females tended to hold onto their nightmares.

[az_of_the_oz]

His stroking her hair was comforting, familiar and yet not. It was soothing, helping her calm down and relax. Her pulse slowly returning to normal as she tried to regulate her breathing again. The constant yearning for Jeb was assuaged slightly by Gabe's continued presence, a friend there for her when she needed him most.

She shook her head at his question, "No!" Az paused at how desperate that sounded. "I...please just stay. At least until I fall asleep again. I can't sleep by myself. It's...difficult to rest soundly in any circumstance, but when I'm by myself I can be lucky to get a few hours at all."

She was not used to sleeping by herself, not anymore. It had been such a short time that she and Jeb had been together before this last event tore them apart. But even in those few days, she had gotten too used to having someone there beside her to keep the nightmares at bay. Or at least keep them to a minimum.

One of her hands tangled in his shirt again without her knowledge.

[grey_gabriel]

Gabriel could feel the way she relaxed into his body and wasn't ashamed to say he enjoyed it. It was good to know she trusted him, only adding to the thrill of his danger. He untangled his hand from her hair and let his palm find her back, stroking it gently. The moment was something akin to the admiration of a precious porcelain doll-one wrong move and he could easily crush it, the broken pieces unmendable.

"Okay," he nearly chuckled at the urgency in her plea. "I'll stay as long as you need me to, Az," he assured her. "Whatever helps you sleep," he nodded. "You certainly need your rest tonight." And it wasn't like he had a problem with letting her curl into his body.

When she had settled again, he tucked his chin back on the top of her head, letting his hand continue carressing her back.

[az_of_the_oz]

With a silent shuddering sigh, Az gratefully accepted the comfort he was offering. Everyone seemed to leave her, and no matter how she sometimes thought she deserved it, it did not make it any easier on her. She had felt abandoned to the Witch at twelve, and still had not entirely recovered from even that blow that was so old.

"Thank you," she murmured again, pulling her legs up onto the couch beside her body. A slow yawn, and she drifted off again. Her hand still twisted in one side of his shirt, the grip loosened, but still existent.

[grey_gabriel]

"Sure," he murmured in return, keeping silent so that she could all asleep. He made sure to stay awake however, in case she woke again, and so he could leave when she was finally sleeping. About an hour later, he finally felt the rhythm of her breathing change and fall into a slower pace, telling him she was fully asleep.

With some careful maneuvering, Gabe managed to squirm out from behind her without waking her. Making sure she was comfortable, he pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and covered her before slipping out the door. He wasn't the type of guy to stick around for breakfast.

Giving a nod to Johnson, he left the door slightly ajar, not wanting the click of it closing to wake Az. He then headed for his own room, where a wonderfully spacious bed lay waiting.