Not a criticism, per se. Just a gentle reminder. Despite everything, the only person he can really bring himself to rail against unfairly is God, and he doesn't even entirely mean that. He turns, careful not to displace Raphael's weight - as the Messenger and a god, he's well aware of symbolism, and even if Raphael doesn't consciously mean anything by leaning on Gabriel, he doesn't want to let him down literally. He's pretty damn worried right now that he already has figuratively, and is about to do it again, so he has to hold onto that at the least. And also (literally again) to Raphael. He's not great at comfort - none of them are, really - but he can at least try, and shifting around to take hold of his shoulders and get some proper face-to-face eye contact seems like a good start.
"Michael isn't here." He's at home, stuck in the Cage with Lucifer. Which is partly Gabriel's fault, he knows, and it isn't what he wants for either of them, but seeing it have this effect on Raphael is worse. "Even if he was, it's not on you to make sure his own stupid expectations don't get him hurt. Not when it's at your own expense."
Raphael's situation is nothing like his own was, he knows that. That makes this easier, really. Otherwise this would end up with him trying to justify himself again, and he knows he can't really do that - at least not in any way that'll satisfy his family. Raphael, though, is in a lot deeper than Gabriel ever was. He knows Raphael was affected by dealing with Michael and running Heaven for so long, but he never realised how badly. Or, in fact, that Raphael's own wellbeing is so low on his list of priorities. Gabriel's not sure there's even anything he can do to change that - but it's worth trying, even if it only leads to more fighting in the end.
"The others-- well, we can take care of ourselves, and of each other. At least well enough to get by. You don't have to play mother hen for us, Raph, or for anyone. If any of 'em need it, they can find someone else." He knows it's not really anyone's fault - at least not any of their siblings who're here. It's easy to overlook someone's problems, especially when they've put themselves firmly in the role of caretaker. But it makes him irrationally angry that everyone has overlooked Raphael for so long, including himself. "Quit worrying about other people and worry about yourself for once, alright?"
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Not a criticism, per se. Just a gentle reminder. Despite everything, the only person he can really bring himself to rail against unfairly is God, and he doesn't even entirely mean that. He turns, careful not to displace Raphael's weight - as the Messenger and a god, he's well aware of symbolism, and even if Raphael doesn't consciously mean anything by leaning on Gabriel, he doesn't want to let him down literally. He's pretty damn worried right now that he already has figuratively, and is about to do it again, so he has to hold onto that at the least. And also (literally again) to Raphael. He's not great at comfort - none of them are, really - but he can at least try, and shifting around to take hold of his shoulders and get some proper face-to-face eye contact seems like a good start.
"Michael isn't here." He's at home, stuck in the Cage with Lucifer. Which is partly Gabriel's fault, he knows, and it isn't what he wants for either of them, but seeing it have this effect on Raphael is worse. "Even if he was, it's not on you to make sure his own stupid expectations don't get him hurt. Not when it's at your own expense."
Raphael's situation is nothing like his own was, he knows that. That makes this easier, really. Otherwise this would end up with him trying to justify himself again, and he knows he can't really do that - at least not in any way that'll satisfy his family. Raphael, though, is in a lot deeper than Gabriel ever was. He knows Raphael was affected by dealing with Michael and running Heaven for so long, but he never realised how badly. Or, in fact, that Raphael's own wellbeing is so low on his list of priorities. Gabriel's not sure there's even anything he can do to change that - but it's worth trying, even if it only leads to more fighting in the end.
"The others-- well, we can take care of ourselves, and of each other. At least well enough to get by. You don't have to play mother hen for us, Raph, or for anyone. If any of 'em need it, they can find someone else." He knows it's not really anyone's fault - at least not any of their siblings who're here. It's easy to overlook someone's problems, especially when they've put themselves firmly in the role of caretaker. But it makes him irrationally angry that everyone has overlooked Raphael for so long, including himself. "Quit worrying about other people and worry about yourself for once, alright?"