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Why Do You Consume That?

Summary:

Aziraphale realizes that Gabriel has never eaten anything. But now, when he seems to be more human, he has to.

Work Text:

That was probably the first time Aziraphale had been talking with Gabriel for nearly an hour. They hardly ever talked at all but now since the circumstances were drastically different, some things changed. It was a bit odd to just casually spend time with the archangel but now when he was less grumpy and more relaxed, even though he was still very much confused, Aziraphale could even say that it was rather alright. Of course, he would have to find a proper way to tell Crowley about his unexpected guest but that could wait a little longer. He knew that the demon hated Gabriel with passion so it might be a little tricky to tell him that the archangel is no threat to any of them for now.

"So, to sum up, you don't know how you got there and-" Aziraphale's sentence was cut off by rumbling coming from Gabriel's stomach "Oh! You must be hungry! I'm so sorry, I forgot to get you something to eat."

Gabriel looked at him confused. "Hungry?" 

"Um, it is when you um, it's when your body needs to consume food to get energy." At least that's what Aziraphale thought food did. He didn't have to eat after all, he did it for pure pleasure. But Gabriel had never eaten anything which now might have been quite difficult since it seemed like his body was turning more and more human.

"Consume? I don't remember me ever consuming anything..." Ugh, why did he have to look like a helpless dog, being thrown away by its owner! It was hard for Aziraphale to remember about all the awful things the archangel did to him and Crowley. But after all, he needed his help now.

The angel stood up and passed Gabriel some clothes so he wouldn't have to walk around wrapped in a blanket or without it... 

"We're going to get some food." In different circumstances Aziraphale could have just miracled the food but he didn't want to confuse Gabriel even more taking that he still had no idea who he was and why he was where he was.

Soon, both of them were ready to go. Aziraphale in his neat suit and Gabriel in... Crowley's trousers and shirt that he'd left in the bookshop one night. The angel had to extend them a bit so they would fit Gabriel and right now he was begging not to bump into Crowley accidentally because it would end very badly for both of them. However, Gabriel didn't look even a bit close as good as Crowley.

"Where are going?" the archangel asked and frowned when he felt another rumble in his stomach. It was getting more annoying now. 

"To one of my favourite places. Trust me, you'll like it."

No, it wasn't the Ritz. It was reserved for Crowley only. It was their place and Aziraphale couldn't just casually take Gabriel there. It would be very disrespectful of him. Instead, he decided to take the archangel to a place where he'd already been 15 years ago. 

"Konnichiwa, Aziraphale-san!" 

Aziraphale smiled to the lovely Japanese man and told Gabriel to take a seat while he would order. The angel really liked this place. It was very cosy and quiet unlike the rest of London that was most of the time incredibly busy and loud. Unfortunately, he was mostly here alone, since Crowley wasn't a very big fan of raw fish and some 'water grass' as he used to call seafood. However, he did come here a few times with the angel simply to keep his company while he was eating. He found it oddly satisfying to watch his friend eating.

"Alright, this is sushi," Aziraphale said as he sat next to Gabriel with their ordered food. 

"Why do you consume that?" he asked and the angel felt shivers down his spine. From time to time, he was still afraid that the archangel had come up with some trap to hurt either him or Crowley and now hearing him saying the same words he had said years ago was quite upsetting.

"It's nice, you dip it in soy sauce, look." 

The angel begun to teach Gabriel how to properly eat sushi. First step was to show him how to use the chopsticks which wasn't an easy task. Gabriel was getting frustrated quite easily so Azirpahale's job was to keep him calm. It was almost like teaching a little child. Well, Gabriel was a little bit like a child right now. A child who needed help and was about to receive it. 

After the first few mistakes the archangel got it and tried the first roll. He took it surprisingly good since it was the first ever thing he had ever eaten. They ended up ordering more which made the angel happy because it meant that sushi was the right choice.

As they were walking back to the bookshop, Gabriel seemed happier which made Aziraphale hap- wait, Gabriel was happy? That was quite unexpected. But as long as he was it meant that the angel could spend more time trying to figure out what actually happened to him.

"Um, Aziraphale?" Gabriel said, biting his lip in discomfort. He's already taken off the clothes since he insisted that they were too tight for him. So he grabbed the blanket again.

"Yes?" 

The archangel hissed. "My stomach hurts again but why? I've just eaten so it doesn't make sense?" 

The angel sighed and started making some mint tea for him. "It's probably because you ate too much but that's okay, you'll drink this tea and it'll be normal again." 

"Stomachs are confusing."

Indeed, a child. 

As Aziraphale handed the mug to Gabriel he started observing it. He behaved nothing like himself. Not that it was something bad. He actually liked the archangel being polite and kind but there was something very much not right about it. What could possibly make him act like this? What could possibly erase his memory completely? Aziraphale he'd never heard about something like that nor had he seen it with his own eyes. Should he contact Crowley already? Would he be mad? But after all, Aziraphale did help him with the Antichrist so... It was all too much.

"Gabriel, will you be alright, if I work a little bit? You can um do whatever you want really just don't leave the bookshop." Odd. Aziraphale thought that taking care of that Warlock boy was tough. Truth be told, he had never thought he would have to babysit an archangel. Let alone Gabriel himself.

"Yes, sure," the archangel answered and start wandering around the room, drinking his tea. 

Time to work, Aziraphale thought to himself and went to find some useful books. It will be a difficult job.

 

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