[detroit!AU: Summoning]

[stilljustandrew]

There's a triple circle on the floor of the room: standard Summoning, and two extra tracks. The one of holy oil is a matter of last resort.

Oddly enough, it's the true name part that's easiest this time.




Andrew speaks the last words of the Summoning, and rises to his feet.

Comments

[stilljustandrew]

"I just don't know where. Or how."

[changeinasnap]

"You've got a thousand different worlds at your disposal, too, you know," Gabriel points out, blandly. "Ask around. I'm sure you'll find something."

[stilljustandrew]

"Ask around." Andrew rakes both hands through his hair.

And looks at Gabriel.

"You know how his powers work, right? Is there a ... I don't know, some way to like jam his radar?"

[changeinasnap]

Bingo.

The smile's a lot more pleased this time.

"Tricks are kind of what I do," he says, and beckons to Andrew. "C'mere."

[stilljustandrew]

There's a bare flicker of hesitation, and then he steps closer.

Because really, it's a bit late for self-preservation instincts to kick in.

[changeinasnap]

That thought might cross Gabriel's mind. For once, he refrains from commenting on it.

He's got work to do.

"An oldie but a goodie," he says, cheerfully. "This one's actually something I picked up from one of my kid brothers of all places. It's gonna sting."

And with no further warning, he slaps a hand to Andrew's chest and sends a jolt of power through him.

[stilljustandrew]

Sting is not quite the word.

A cloud of birds takes off from the nearby trees at the sound of Andrew's yell.

[changeinasnap]

Oh, quit whining, Gabriel does not say.

Five seconds later, he takes his hand away -- rips it away, more accurately, like there's a magnet stuck under Andrew's ribs -- and dusts off his hands theatrically. "There."

[stilljustandrew]

He's gasping, but stays on his feet.

"What --" Wheeze. "What was that?"

[changeinasnap]

"That was me spraying you with angel repellent. Weeellll, kinda," he amends, tipping his head from side to side. "Maybe more like me strapping an angelic cloaking device to your chest."

He prods Andrew in the ribs. (More gently, this time.)

"Enochian symbols. Pick the right ones, and no angel'll be able to find you. You're wearing a pretty sweet set of them now."

[stilljustandrew]

"...like, instant tattoos?"

His face is an interesting combination of that's kinda cool and eurgh.

[changeinasnap]

"Yep." A beat, for the appropriate dramatic effect. "On your ribs."

He sounds entirely too pleased by that fact.

(It's very possible he still wants to smack Andrew and is resorting to this as the next best thing.)

[stilljustandrew]

Beat.

"When you say on my ribs," he starts, cautiously.

[changeinasnap]

"I mean you should probably warn your doc about it the next time you need to go in for an X-ray."

Don't want them thinking Andrew's come down with a rare and bizarrely-patterned form of cancer, after all.

[stilljustandrew]

"...Ah."

Yeah, the eurgh is winning, but it's being firmly dragged down in the face of angelic cloaking device.

He breathes out, and looks Gabriel in the face. "Thanks."

[changeinasnap]

Wonder of wonders, this time, Gabriel actually responds with a shrug and, "You're welcome."

He points at Andrew.

"It's not gonna keep him from seeing you if you're in the same room together, so watch your back here. And please. Try not to say yes to him next time or get yourself killed?"

[stilljustandrew]

"I'm not gonna --"



Andrew's gaze drops.

"Yeah." Very subdued. "I'll try not to. Either one."

[changeinasnap]

Gabriel regards him levelly.

"Okay," he says at last, quiet.

He's learned. That's a lot more than Gabriel can say for most people. And if this lesson doesn't stick for whatever reason --

Well, he's got a vested interest in this kid now, what with him wearing his work and getting Lucifer's attention turned on Gabriel himself.

"Go home, Andrew," he tells him, and the shadows shift along the forest floor, and for an instant the whole clearing smells of rain.

And then it's empty, save Andrew.

[stilljustandrew]

Go home.



You can't save him.




Andrew stands there in the grass for several seconds, before turning around and starting to trudge back toward Milliways, and the front door, and home.