Whether Raphael realises it or not - and it's most likely that he does, because at least to Gabriel's mind, it's painfully obvious - his presence has a similar effect on Gabriel. He's better at coping on his own, always has been: the loss of Lucifer and their Father had been world-shattering, of course, but when he'd left it had been his own decision. That had made it easier, but it hadn't made it easy. Raphael is solid, dependable, anchoring in a way that Gabriel's been trying to replace for centuries. After all this time of trying to cling to one fragile, dysfunctional relationship after another, of having each and every one of them collapse no matter what he does, the (probably deceptive) easiness of this relationship with Raphael is almost unbelievable. He's convinced, of course, that sooner or later it'll be ruined. It always is, and God knows there's a whole host of fractures that could be the end of it, but for now, he's happy - more than just happy - to let himself have this.

He leans in too, ostensibly just to poke at the packet, though he neglects to move out of Raphael's personal space afterwards. It could be just a mistake. Everyone forgets things sometimes, don't they? And personal space is such a difficult concept for the angels. He assumes Raphael won't call him on it.

"They're gummy bears. Candy for sadists with childhood trauma about their teddies. They taste like plastic - try one, you'll hate them."