☾ huszonöt ☽
With nerves completely as ease, Hebe had sprung from her apartment in denim shorts and a flowy top, taking the stairs two at a time in her excitement to see Gabriel. The billowing material at her back made her feel as if wings were attached at her shoulderblades, and upon stepping from the stairwell, everything seemed positively weightless. At that moment, life was great.
The park was reached at about ten minutes to five, and the little goddess was found somewhere near a bench, picking at grass and piling it up so that the lamb would have something to munch on.
Gabriel had been glad to get out for a little bit with Lamby. The lamb seemed to have picked up on the tension in the house lately and was antsy to get out as well with his new green scarf tied around his neck stylishly. His thoughtful frown changed when he saw Hebe waiting for him, it was good to spend some time with a friend during these stressful times. He gave her a smile as he approached, waving a little.
"I hope you haven't been waiting long," he said as he leaned down for a moment to let Lamby off of the leash.
Returning the wave, the blonde girl rested her hands upon her bent knees. "Not at all. And it's nice outside, so..." So she would've waited as long as it took him, Hebe decided. A tardy angel seemed like an implausible prospect.
Suddenly, a smile threatened to split her face into two, and she bit her lip to prevent such a disaster. "Does Lamby like his scarf?"
"He does, it was most kind of you to send it,' Gabriel assured her, glancing down at Lamby who was distracted by the grass nearby at the moment. "Michael appreciated his gifts as well, the chocolates and candies were very good," he smiled a little bit more, feeling more at ease.
Before Hebe could allow a blush to spread across her cheeks (not out of attraction, but joy), she stood, brushing her fingers over Lamby's head once before coming to stand at her full five foot six. "I'm glad. If I'd known you were going to be away, I might've sent it a bit later."
"It's alright, it still arrived safely," he assured her kindly. Lamby rubbed his head against Hebe's hand before going back to munching on the grass, his little tail flicking back and forth. "It was a bit of a last minute planned trip as it was too."
The angel was given an understanding nod, but Zeus' little girl had already said her piece on the forums. This was a time for action, not words. Her hands drifted up to her face, fingers brushing away pieces of hair.
"Um, Gabriel..." Breathe. It couldn't sound nearly as awkward as it'd been in her head. "Can you bend down a bit? Toward me." Nevermind, completely awkward.
Gabriel blinked at her request, not sure what to make of it and he could not stop red from creeping up to his cheeks. He couldn't even figure out a response, he was always flustered when those who weren't his angelic or mortal family got close to him, it was something he couldn't help.
Oh, crud. She'd embarrassed him. She'd embarrassed an archangel.. Unable to process this properly, Hebe flushed a little herself, slipping her palms over her face as she murmured a muffled 'That didn't sound right' against them.
When they fell away, she was still a touch pink, but rather than waiting for her face to stop feeling hot, she bravely padded up to Gabriel. No words were offered to prepare him, but the look in her eyes (or so she tried to get across) said that he could stop her if he didn't want this.
Hebe stood almost on her tippytoes and wrapped her arms around the tall angel's neck in a hug, the first she'd ever given him.
Gabriel didn't stop her, it was surprising when she hugged him but he understood then. He leaned over a little, wrapping his arms around her as well gently. She had always been a good friend to him, something he appreciated more than anything.
After a moment though he felt Lamby pressing his nose against one leg, as if impatient for attention.
"I know you're an angel," the goddess began, speaking into his shoulder as she tightened her arms slightly, still keeping a bit of distance. This was their first hug after all; it made sense that the more hugs they gave each other (should more come), the more comfortable they'd get.
"But I still think you need to be appreciated. Not... well, not worshipped, but shown that people appreciate what you do, because you work hard and you're so selfless and--" Hebe took in a breath. "It's really refreshing. So many people are selfish, but you're not. You're kind and... wonderful."
He let her go after a moment, letting Lamby wiggle in-between them. Her words made him blush a little more.
"Thank you, Hebe, I am touched that you think so highly of me, that is more than enough for me," he said with a soft smile.
Hearing that, the girl beamed back, pink still lightly staining the tops of her cheeks. "If it is, then... that's good. Because I mean it." Her gaze fell to the top of Lamby's sweet head, and pressing the backs of her fingers to her cheek in some attempt to rid of the leftover blush, Hebe breathed a soft laugh.
"Does Lamby want a hug, too?"
As if he understood, Lamby gave a bleat for attention, looking up at them as if expectantly. Gabriel couldn't help but chuckle though, nodding.
"I think he would," he agreed with a smile.
That recognition was acknowledged as the youngest of the gods dropped into a squat, mindful of her knees grazing the asphalt as she slid her arms around the lamb, giggling when Lamby bleated right next to her ear. A happy bleat, she'd later learn.
The hug she'd given Gabriel might have been a touch awkward, but Hebe had gotten her point across: that he had a friend he could count on, one who was grateful for his work, adored him for who he was, and who knew that angels needed appreciation just as much as anyone else.