Tidings of Comfort and Joy [Dec 24]

[asoncalledgabriel]

Gabriel is still surprised that Anthony is coming. He'd felt like an idiot for asking him, but he also has his reasons: he knows Anthony is drawn to the aesthetic of the Church, even if he's rejected it in its entirely. And the music was good last year, and he has no reason to imagine that it won't be this year.

The service is the closest thing to a Catholic midnight mass that he's found, and the year before it was surprisingly faithful to traditions that Gabriel is familiar with.

He stands outside the church, hands tucked into the pockets of his black pea coat. It's the nicer of the two winter coats he owns. He's cleaned up for this particular mass: a button down, a tie, his nicest sweater. He'd thought, briefly, of a suit, but it didn't feel right when he'd been getting ready.

He ignores the little flutter he feels at the thought of going into the church. His relationship with his religion remains complicated, but he is finding some relief in exploring the way others have approached spirituality.

Comments

[asoncalledgabriel]

Gabriel can't help but crack a smile. "Christ, I never thought I'd find myself having impure thoughts about a martyred saint, but there I was, staring hopelessly at image after image of Sebastian, dangling from the damn tree and-- pierced through."

He laughs and shakes his head at the memory. It wasn't fair that a dying saint should look so-- that way. He sits up a bit more, feeling better, and nearly finishes his drink.

"And I did promise you, once upon a time, that you might get to hear me sing someday. Hopefully this is a much better impression than seeing me drunk in a bar would've been."

[flightfromennui]

“Oh, they make them look like that on purpose,” Anthony says matter-of-factly, though a smirk tugs at his lips. “Saint Sebastian especially.”

He downs the last of his drink. “You did promise that. Quite respectable of you, Gabriel Harkin."

[asoncalledgabriel]

He laughs, and he actually blushes. At least Tintern is dimly it.

"Respectable, is it? I don't think I've been respectable in months," he quips, looking terribly amused. "I'll have to find some shred of it before classes start, I suppose."

[flightfromennui]

“Is that a veiled attempt to blame me for the loss of your respectability?” Anthony teases, lifting a brow. Gabriel’s reference to the upcoming term makes him smirk. He is quite looking forward to having Gabriel in his class. “Only as much of it as you require to learn French."

[asoncalledgabriel]

"Only for the loss of it in private spaces." Gabriel can't quite smother his smile, so he stops trying. "Christ, I'll have to muster the dignity of a saint for that."

There is part of him that worries about his ability to concentrate with Anthony at the front of a classroom, but he thinks he can manage. He is, at least, genuinely interested in trying another language. That he is learning it from Anthony might just guarantee that he doesn't fall asleep or day dream.