#televangelical

But it wasn't this strange place, or the majority of its denizens which caught his attention. No, it was in fact the world's leader which had utterly enthralled him, beyond belief or reasoning.

Tenna was his name. Mr. 'Ant' Tenna, he'd made clear that was very important. Quite the... personality, to put it simply. At first, coming off the adrenaline from his fight, Gabriel had found the darkner to be annoying, frustrating. Too energetic for his tastes.

That had been before he... closed his eyes and took a short nap. Definitely not because of the blood loss he'd sustained. That would be a ridiculous conclusion to come to. His nap had been voluntary in the middle of the studio on purpose.

When he woke up sometime later, he found himself to be entirely healed. Tenna having been the reason. He'd helped him, healed him, without question, without duress. Even after the angel had made a, not so polite entrance.

Gabriel couldn't understand it. Couldn't comprehend it. Had it been so long since he'd witnessed such kindness? Such compassion? These darkners, they weren't sinners, obviously, but still the concept of goodness in something other than the angels of heaven, it had become so foreign to him at this point, especially after his loss. He truthfully had accepted that such would never happen again.

Mankind was dead, after all. 

And Tenna... Tenna was a special source of conflict for him. Kind, charming, he seemed to understand him in a way he'd never realized he'd never desired before. They'd talked for quite a bit of time, once Gabriel had gotten over his initial confusion. Not to mention it took some effort to determine how to return to his own world.

The time had been well spent. He'd even say that he enjoyed it, immensely. 

Further, he'd found he could return easily once he left. He didn't know why he did at first, there was no need for it, and he had far more important issues to concern himself with. His own fading light, for one.

But when he was with Tenna, all of it seemed to just disappear. It didn't matter, his loss to the machine, the council ousting him for his failures, the Father's disappearance. Just being in Tenna's presence made this... weight he'd been carrying, for so long, vanish.

The way he'd talk about his show, his family, such a passion there. Such care. It was inspirational! If he didn't know better he'd think the father had some involvement.

They were alike, in a way too. Multiple ways, if he was being truthful with himself. Their struggles, their deepest fears, the burden of their regrets. Tenna, he understood. Shared his own trials and tribulations, his own

It seemed the angel wasn't alone in such matters. Not anymore. Not if he chose to not to be.

To be given such a thing, freedom of choice...

More foreign of a concept than he'd ever dare to admit.

Nonetheless, despite it all, there was one major issue with continuing any sort of relations with Tenna. It went against everything he'd stood for, fought for—and soon enough—would die for.

Tenna was, in a manner of speaking; a machine.

Every machine he's ever had the unfortunate displeasure of coming across has only caused him grief and ruin. Filled with nothing but that hungering rot, which would ultimately consume both them and all of Hell Itself. He knew now that he could do nothing to stop that ravenous hoard, only make his peace with it. And cut down that pathetic, worthless object until it's nothing but a beating, bleeding, pile of scraps and mistakes on the floor, paint the walls red with his fury and make that thing pay for its transgressions—

But Tenna was different.

Tenna was a darkner, a mix of 'magic'—though Gabriel still had his doubts—and machine. He wasn't blood-thristy, either. He was funny, bombastic, enthralling, he makes the angel feel things in a manner he's never experienced before and while yes it frightens him, terrifies him, it draws him in all the same. 

Gabriel isn't certain what it is he feels for the TV host, but what he does know is that he wishes to be in his presence now more than ever. 

So, that is what he does. 

There's an atmospheric difference upon entering the dark world. Everything feels... lighter. The heavy weight of the layers of Hell don't exist here, just a cool—comforting?—darkness. Gabriel turns, finding the warm lights of the TV studio just a short distance away. 

He walks over, long strides taking him to the entrance quickly. 

Inside, it's quiet. A few employees mill about, greeting him so cordially. While still not used to it, he returns with a greeting of his own. 

It must be the end of the work day, most leaving and heading out. Gabriel wonders briefly if Tenna will even still be around. Maybe this was a mistake, maybe it's a waste of time, maybe he's being foolish, maybe he should return to his post and work to defend what's left of his light like the dutiful Will of God he's supposed to be—

"Gabey! What a pleasant surprise." Suddenly Tenna is in front of him, only just slightly taller than the angel at the moment. "I wasn't expecting you to drop by. It's too bad, you just missed today's show."

It takes him a moment to collect himself, speaking calm. "That's not my name. But you are correct, it was not my intention to visit today. I hope it's not an inconvenience to you."

"Not at all! Want to walk and talk? You seem to have something on your mind." 

Despite how he's feeling, Gabriel chuckles. "You are right, my friend. Though how you seem to know this with only my voice for reference never ceases to amaze."

"Take it from the guy with no eyes, there's more to emotions than just your face." Tenna jests, begin to lead the way. 

Gabriel falls in step beside him, allowing the darkner to carry the conversation. He has no idea what to say, what there is to say on his side, so he just listens instead. 

Tenna talks about his day, mostly. How rehearsal went, the difficulties he'd had with a group of Pippins, a few funny moments mixed in between. It helps Gabriel to relax, significantly. 

With newfound resolve, he's able to finally broach the subject that which brought him here in the first place. During a lull in the conversation he speaks up. 

"T-Tenna I—" He clears his throat. "Could I be honest with you for a moment?"

The CRT beams. "Of course! What did you want to say?" 

"Well, I um. How do I put it..." Despite his previous confidence, it's left him once more. 

There's a hand on Gabriel's shoulder then, he looks and finds Tenna smiling at him softly. It gives him the strength, the will that he needs. 

"I... I like you." 

Muttered, likely only discernable to himself. 

"Hm?" Tenna responds, genuine. 

Louder, turning to face the TV man fully. "I like you!" The words are rushed, awkward. 

And receive no initial response. 

But then—

"I, I like you too?—oh, oh! You mean, that's. Um, oh gosh." Tenna pulls at his collar, screen beginning to turn pink. "You really, you really mean that?"

"Yes." Firm, calm but firm. 

"Oh wow, oh boy I, this is quite the development! I, I don't even know what to say." Tenna becomes more and more flustered, and Gabriel unfortunately cannot tell if it's from flattery or embarrassment. 

He attempts to salvage the situation, feeling more in control now that the words are out there. "It is... it is fine if you do not feel the same, I simply needed to—"

He's cut off by Tenna taking his helmet in both his hands and planting his screen directly against it. There's a dull thunk as glass meets metal, but Tenna keeps his lips on the spot where Gabriel's would theoretically be. 

They stay like that, perhaps a bit too long, temperature between the two rising quickly before Tenna pulls away. 

His screen is a deep pink, small trails of smoke leaving his vents. Gabriel, while an archangel of God, feels as if he's in a similar situation himself, even if he knows it to not be true. 

Tenna takes a few short breaths before speaking again. "I do feel the same, angel. Very, very much so. I guess I just, wasn't expecting you to reciprocate. B-but! I'm so, so glad that you do. Really."

Gabriel nods, keeping a collected exterior, though inside he feels as if he could do anything. Fly all the way into the sky, lead the armies of Heaven to victory, return to Hersey and cut the machine down, scatter its profane form across the stars, grind it down until the very sparks cry for mercy—

Instead, he settles for the simplest option, leaning in and meeting his helmet to Tenna's screen once more. Brief, but purposeful. 

Once he can focus again Tenna sighs. "So, what now?" 

"Whatever you would like. I seem to find myself with no sense of urgency to return to Hell." For emphasis He reaches down and takes Tenna's hand into his own. "Please, lead the way, I'll follow you wherever you go."

Tenna chuckles. "Well when you put it like that..."

So off they went, the odd couple. An archangel of God, God's own Will, and a TV given sentience, a body, a life. Unlikely to have ever crossed paths, and yet, it happened all the same. 

Something they both were glad for.

This ended up being more peak than i planned so i guess uhhhh maybe someday ill do something else with these losers LMAO

That's all, thank you for reading

Reblogs are always very much appreciated & encouraged! :]