Template:Featured Articles/8-2017
 Gabriel had his pride, and that was exactly why Angel was being a good friend and not laughing as she watched him huff along. Not that she would have done much better alone - she was a lover, not a fighter. Unless it was something she could set on fire, then she was a fighter all the way. They probably could have accomplished it together, but Gabriel and his damn pride. So Angel lounged back, watching Gabriel work, and when he finally gave up under the guise of "this is a good spot," she simply grinned brightly and said, "Yeah, it's great," as she swept one hand through the water. Summer was almost over and she hadn't spent nearly enough time in the outdoor water. It was a damn shame. "It's kinda weird, though," he shrugged as he pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. "I feel like I never wanted to do stuff like this when I lived in the city." He flipped open the top and removed a smoke from the package. "Now I'm like, get me on the water so I can look at the skyline." He turned to face Manhattan, squinting to see buildings in the distance; he hadn't realized just how far uptown they'd started. After a few silent seconds, he slid the cigarette into his mouth and turned to Angel, a smile playing on his lips and in his eyes. "You mind?" "Might be one of those don't know what you've got till it's gone type of things." Angel said as she absently held a hand out, a little flame ball flickering to life. "Hold still, I imagine a few boys would be disappointed if I burned those lips of yours off." She held the flame ball out, catching the end of Gabriel's cigarette and holding it there until she was sure it was lit. He waited until he saw the telltale glow before pulling away from her. "Thanks," he said, taking a drag and blowing the smoke back toward the city. Then, after a beat, he smirked. "Was that an innocent but decent kissing joke, or an incredibly funny — and yet just subtle enough — blowjob joke?" "I'll leave that up to you to decide," Angel said as she leaned back in the boat again, watching the city skyline. This had definitely been a good idea. "Uh huh." The smirk stayed on Gabriel's face as he took another puff. "My oh my, how this world has corrupted you." "I'm getting cynical with old age, what can I say." Angel sighed dramatically. "Getting old is rough." "Oh please," Gabriel snorted. "You're hardly—" He tilted his head, studying her and doing some math in his head. "Oh, yeah, okay," he relented, "I guess you are." "Okay now that is just rude," Angel said, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not denying I'm old but that is rude." "I know, I know, sorry," he grinned. "I can't help it. My birthday's coming up soon enough, and this just makes me feel better about myself. I'm vain and petty, remember? You know this about me." He tapped his ash into the river. "I do," Angel sighed dramatically. "I guess I can suffer if it means making you feel better about yourself." |
