✝ LOOK AT YOUR LIFE THROUGH HEAVEN'S EYES.

( Gabriel Lockhart / 32 / Pastor ).

[ofhosanna]

text 📲 mia delore.

Mia: Sometimes self-care is taking a shot of vodka and moving on.

Mia: Or, you know, ten shots of vodka.

Mia: Who's even counting anymore?

Gabriel: i would call that a coping mechanism

Gabriel: are you okay? do you want to talk?

[abrahamayalas]

“Okay, but listen, this is important.” Abraham started, placing his drink down on the bar. Perhaps he’d had too many drinks already, he’d lost count after the fourth beer and… was it three or four shots of tequila? He couldn’t remember, but what mattered the most wasn’t how many drinks he’d had, it was getting a pet, right-the-fuck-now. “If you were to recommend a pet, not a cat or a dog, what would you recommend– and why?” | @devinstonestarters​

[ofhosanna]

THE QUESTION gave Gabriel some pause. Not a normal response, obviously. But he wasn’t sure what to say - he’d never had a pet before. Something told him that admitting this to a drunk man would ignite the fire of argument in the man’s belly. He wished he could say lying was against hos moral code, but the truth was he was simply to surprised to come up with a good excuse. “Um, I’m not sure. I’ve never had an animal before,” He admitted softly. “But I suppose it depends on what you’d want from a pet?” 

[ofhosanna]

LOCATION: Devinstone Park TIME: early morning WITH: @alexanderarnault​.

IT WAS finally spring, which meant Gabriel could walk to and from work again. He had decided to leave a little early today, having no kids to pick up meant an idle stroll through the park which would have him home right when he would need to start dinner. He’d been expecting the park to be crowded - but he supposed it was too close to suppertime. Most everyone was at home.  Gabriel took his time, admiring the flowers which had once again struggled their way through the dirt. Blooming in the likeliest of circumstances, but working hard for it nonetheless. Gabriel was in his own little world until Alex crossed his vision. He looked worn. A long day at work, maybe? Though the pastor still felt inclined to lend his attention.

Alexander and Gabriel weren’t neighbours. They were townies at most, acquaintances. Perhaps it was strange for him to lend out a hand as often as he did. To be so concerned with the man’s welfare. But it was a part of who Gabriel was as a person. Alexander had a look in his eyes - something that made Gabriel feel both attacked and, well, sad. He didn’t know Alexander’s whole story, only the idle gossip his wife chattered - which he was not inclined to believe if only for the morality of its source. Still, the pastor sometimes wondered if that same look could be found in his eyes. If people could see that he’d never really gotten that one thing he was always reaching for. 

“hey, lovely afternoon, Mr. Arnault!” Gabriel attempted in his usual tone of unrelenting kindness. There was a sweetness in his voice that few could match. “are you feeling alright? you look a little pale, is all,”

[ofhosanna]

LOCATION: Georgie’s comic book shop TIME: saturday afternoon WITH: @georgiewallace​

GABRIEL LOOKED woefully out of place in the store. Not only because of his suburban dad attire but also due to the look of profound confusion which had housed itself upon his features.  Gabriel didn’t know anything about comic books, really. He’d been into them for a few weeks when he was a kid - at least, until his parents had nagged the habit out of him. Gabriel was kind of glad that his eldest had started showing interest in comics, if only because it would allow him to encourage the habit in a positive way. Which was proving more difficult than he had originally thought. He’d lost his touch, clearly. Looking at the rows of shelves, lined with their colourful colours - it was almost overwhelming. There weren’t many names he recognized, and those he did weren’t something he’d give an eight-year-old boy to read. X-Men was cool and all, but its profound focus on politics was sure to be a turn off for Jonah. Superman, maybe? but...why was it so expensive? 

Gabriel wandered the store a little aimlessly, hoping to find something like a kid’s section. But every time he found his way over to a brightly coloured display, he saw it was more adult-oriented content. Maybe they didn’t sell that type of thing here? Eventually, he saw someone go behind the counter and rushed up to take a place in line. “hi,” Gabriel offered a little smile, visibly out of his element. “Sorry I don’t mean to bother you, it’s just - my son likes comics and I don’t really know much about them. Got anything for an eight-year-old, by chance?”

[ofhosanna]

LOCATION: Devinstone Community Church TIME:  thursday, noon WITH: @rupcrt​

The church remained mostly abandoned during the week, save their usual Sunday service. Gabriel saw maybe three or four people monthly, who had wandered into the building to request some type of evangelical assistance. Even though he knew today would be a day like any other, the church couldn’t remain empty. There always had to be someone around to provide safety and sanctuary to anyone who requested it. Gabriel often had to entertain himself during those long hours. Using music to fill the air of the eerily empty building. It was how he always knew Rupert was coming.

Gabriel thought often about how giving that kid his Spotify had caused more trouble than he’d ever expected. His wife often suggested changing the password. The pastor insisted that that simply wouldn’t be right. After all, those hundred-some-odd dollars he’d end up spending on it over the course of the year, while little more than chump change to him, could end up being a big financial detriment to someone as young as Roo. She called him a fool, and maybe she was right.

Roo usually took over the speaker as soon as he was within three yards of the church. Though the transition never failed to make Gabriel jump. His own music coming to an abrupt stop, replaced by Lord knew what. Whatever it was, it was loud and was filled with innuednos. Gabriel fumbled with his phone, frantically trying to mute the music, lest someone wander in unannounced. As the music came to a screeching halt, the pastor caught a glimpse of the name. Gay Bar by Electric Six it read. How very ON BRAND, they were just going out to lunch. Why was he like this? “Roo, how many times do I have to tell you? You can just say hello, or text me. You’re going to give me a heart attack one day,”

[nomoregoldfish]

Fire.

[mxcmontgomery]

Location: Outside of Buns and More Time: Sometime right after 10 PM. Status: Open to all | @devinstonestarters

God, she hated new jobs. Her last waitressing job had been a fairly stable one - she’d been there for a good three years. But before that, she’d been hopping all over New York, and with each time she’d had to run a first shift somewhere, she’d hated it even more. It was always so chaotic, so tiresome, always feeling like you were messing up. Her feet hurt, her legs felt heavy, and she smelled of grease and burgers by the time she’d made it outside. And, even though she knew it was a bad habit, the cigarettes she kept in her purse for emergencies were just close enough within reach for her to get one out and light it up, dreading the walk to her car and the ten minute ride it would take to get back home. Or - well, to get to the house. It wasn’t a home yet, not by a long shot.

Then, as she looked out in the darkness, she sighed audibly when the first drag hit and exhaled slowly before she spoke. “My shift is done for the night. Whatever you need, ask someone inside.” She didn’t even bother looking at them, feeling the stare on her back was enough. “And yes - I know these will kill me. Don’t worry, we’ve got a bet going on,” she continued as she looked at the cigarette between index and middle finger. It had been weeks since she’d smoked. 

[ofhosanna]

GABRIEL MAY have been abhorrently stupid at times, but he would never be so absent-minded as to approach a waitress who was off duty for her services. Mac’s comment immediately had him thinking who does that?  “oh no, I wasn’t doing anything of the sort, you’re obviously on your way home,” Gabriel said, raising his hands in earnest. He offered her a playful smile, though it would hardly be seen in the semi-darkness of the parking lot. “and I’m not here to pester you about the smoking, either,” People always seemed to think he was going to do that sort of thing - bother them about their habits. A consequence of his profession, he supposed, but he liked to think he gave off a much more welcoming air than that. 

“I’m glad I caught you,” the pastor stated as he began rummaging around in his pockets. “you left before I was finished, so I didn’t get to give you a tip.” and with that, he produced a crisp twenty-dollar bill from his wallet. Gabriel knew it was more than the average - especially at a diner like this, but with three rowdy kids at his table, he always tried to tip at least sixty percent. For emotional damages.

[ofhosanna]

TASK 003

DATE: November 2, 2011 LOCATION: Devinstone Medical Center TRIGGER WARNING: child birth

“You are a MIRACLE, child. You are the best, You SHINE the brightest...”

It was a common term - ‘the miracle of childbirth’. Once which Gabriel thought was thrown around with some ferocity. The act of bringing life into the world was a fascinating one, sure. But it was hardly something to behold with amazement. All animals gave birth. It wasn’t common practice to ogle at another packmate as they bore litter. That was a distinctly human custom.  Gabriel had been by his mother’s side for a majority of the births that followed his own. He’d never seen it bring a light to his parent’s eyes. This baby was much the same as the last. Special, but so more so than the last. By their fourth child, it almost seemed a boring affair.

Given his experiences, Gabriel truly hadn’t expected the nerves that would surface when his wife finally went into labour. He’d rushed her to the hospital; his mind suddenly racing with all the what ifs that he’d been skimming over in the last nine months. The birth was, thankfully, no more complex than was usual. Though Gabriel’s had was much worse for wear after the occasion, thanks to his wife’s death-iron grip. He had wanted to be in the room for emotional support, figuring he would be more-or-less disconcerted with the process itself. After all, he’d seen his mother go through it countless times with little more than a bloodcurdling scream. He’d sat through most of them with a book in hand, only stopping to get an inquisitive look at his new sibling.

But this was different. It was almost as if the moment the water had broken, there was a new force tethering him to the earth. His body shook with adrenaline, his palms sweaty in his spouse’s fingers. When a cry finally rang out, Gabriel knew. His entire world had just shifted. He was beaconed over in a quiet hush, catching the first glimpse of Jonah’s little scalp. It felt as though the nurses were talking to him through water, handing him scissors, urging him to cut the umbilical cord. Gabriel did so with great care, though his entire body was swelling with emotion to the point that every surface of his skin tingled.

The boy was placed in his arms, yowling with the ferocity of a beast. He’d been haphazardly wrapped in a blanket, from which he’d squirmed free. Spreading the Lord knew what over his father’s shirt. Gabriel didn’t care, this boy was his entire world now. He was filled with an intense need to protect him. To give him everything he could never have, to see him smile each morning and each night. Jonah was the most beautiful, perfect thing he had ever seen. The moment the nurses left the room, Gabriel started to cry.

He was so scared. Scared that that magic would fade away. That his next child would be just that, his next child. No unrelenting feeling of joy. Only mild interest accompanying his gentle coos. When Abigail came, just three years later, he swelled with emotion again. But it wasn’t the same. Of the same intensity, of the same virtue but with its own distinct flavour. Gabriel adored this child just as much as the first, equal to any that would follow.

It wasn’t until he heard the cry of his final child, Matthew, that Gabriel knew. Feeling rose in him again. Strong, different, special. It was much the same as what he’d felt with the first two, but with it’s own unique spice of joy. With that feeling came a comfort: Gabriel really, truly was not like his parents. With that thought came its own torrent of tears: one which didn’t stop for hours. 

@devinstonerpg​

[andrew-murdock]

Location: downtown

When: Saturday morning

Who: Open | @devinstonestarters​

One of his favorite things about being a teacher was the fact that he was able to change someone’s life. Call it a bit dramatic, but Andrew felt like he was doing so much more to the world than any other hero out there. Every single kid he met in his ten years in the profession changed him in some way, and he liked to believe he managed to change something in their lives, too. If it was just the way they behaved, an honest smile he would get by doing a little thing that was important to them or just a warm, sincere hug at the end of the way, all of those things mattered to him and made it all worth it. Anyone that knew him would never think he would’ve made it. Back in the day he was as much of an idiot as much of the boys he saw walking down the corridors of the school, but somehow he changed, he grew and saw that there was some bigger picture in the end.

As they reached a new season, the school was getting ready for the final months until Summer knocked on their door and another circle ended, and with that, Andrew would find himself more busy than ever. He tried to get involved in many things as he could, helping out in the school plays being one of his favorite activities to do. He wasn’t all that talented in the end, but he managed to do some pretty good props when needed and all the fun that came with it, was worth it. 

Running late – as always – to get back to the school theater to help out with another set of decorations, Andrew stopped at the hardwood store to get a few supplements that were left, trying to load his car as fast as he could as he could while his phone didn’t stop ringing. “Jesus fucking Christ, can’t those fucking kids just chill?” He grumbled organizing things on his car trunk as fast as he could, realizing that he was probably obstructing the sidewalk with some of his packages. “Sorry, I’ll just get those.” He said to no one in particular as he saw a shadow on his peripheral vision.

[ofhosanna]

GABRIEL HAD just stopped by the store to grab a few things, not at all expecting to see his son’s teacher there. The pastor had been about to call out to him, when he over heard the man’s ranting. Andrew’s words sent a chill down his spine.

Gabriel knew his kids were a handful. His eldest, especially. Jonah was trouble, even at home - prone to fits of rage, temper tantrums and general disobedience. It hardly surprised him that his son acted much the same way in school. His teacher was a mercifully kind man. That much Gabriel was thankful for. Still, everyone had their limits.

Gabriel had grown up in an extremely strict household. His father’s word was held as law so scared, the children feared the consequences of going against it. He hadn’t wanted his own children to feel that way - to be scared of him. So, he’d always treated them with unrelenting kindness. Gabriel often wondered if he was too lax. If there was some fundamental problem in his parenting that had lead to Jonah’s outbursts. It was unfortunate how completely unaware the Lockharts were about how characteristically their child fit a diagnosis of autism. Gabriel had never even thought to blame Jonah for his actions, even when his teachers had started suggested he be treated as a special student. 

Gabriel had been attempting to avoid Andrew’s line of sight if only to spare him the awkwardness of his last statement. But the pastor tread to close, sparking the teacher’s attention. For what felt like a long, tense, moment their eyes met. Gabriel put on his softest smile. “oh - hey, long time no see, Andrew. Do you um, need a hand or anything? you’ve got a lot of stuff here,”

[acciohunks]

It makes me smile, it makes me shake

[alexanderarnault]

Location: Anywhere public (specify or leave blank and we’ll see where we end up) Time: A day after he was supposed to land in the Maldives Status: open to all | @devinstonestarters​

“He– Hello? Hello? No, can-cel it.” Enunciating each syllable with force, Alex had one hand on his ear as he pressed his phone close to the other, trying to work through the bad connection. It was 2020, wasn’t there supposed to be cell service all over the world? “Yes, everything. The whole trip is cancelled.” As if bad reception wasn’t enough, he was fairly certain the woman on the other side of the line did not speak English well enough to be the recipient of the phone call. “Yes, I know it was. But it’s cancelled. The - hello? The wedding is off. We’re not coming. No, hello - no, there’s no honeymoon.” He couldn’t believe that of all things, the one thing he’d forgotten to cancel was his own honeymoon. Typical. “Yes. Cancelled. What? No - I know, no refund. That’s okay. I said - that’s okay. Yes. Just - can you just email me the invoice? E-mail. Invoice. The costs,” he said, trying to speak as clearly as he could, nodding along as if that would somehow help. “Yes. Thank you. I said – Thank you. Okay. Bye.” Then, exhausted as he put his phone away, he sighed audibly as he raised his eyebrows.

“Well, that’s fourteen thousand dollars down the drain.”

[ofhosanna]

GABRIEL HADN’T meant to eavesdrop. He might have even felt guilty doing so, had the man been easier to ignore. But he was practically shouting, so there was little stopping his brain from processing the words that tickled his ears. The term ‘no honeymoon’ was what had really piqued Gabriel’s attention. Typically, the phrase would be cause for condolences, if the stranger hadn’t seemed so angry. The pastor doubted it was a cancellation of inconvenience, someone had probably skipped on the wedding. It was something he’d seen a few times before - heartwrenching and awkward as it was. He always did his best to console the one who was left at the alter, but there was little you could say to a grieving fiance to soften the blow of utter betrayal. 

“excuse me, I don’t mean to interrupt,” Gabriel hazarded when the phone call came to an end. His voice had a naturally soft cadence, a gentleness that few could manage. “it’s just - you seem upset. Is there something I can do to help? Even if you just wanted to talk,” best not to let on how much he knew, lest he put the man of the defensive. sometimes Gabriel thought about getting a hat that said ‘call me father’ to signify that he was, in fact, a member of the church and that his inquiries were kind in nature. His wife had talked him out of it many times, for reasons he could never quite grasp.

[devinstonerpg]

INTRODUCING,

NAME: Gabriel Matthew Lockhart.

AGE: Thirty-two.

GENDER/PRONOUNS: Cis male, he/him.

ORIGINALLY FROM: Lawton, OK.

OCCUPATION: Pastor.

CURRENT RESIDENCE: Ellington.

“There can be miracles when you believe. Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill.”

BIOGRAPHY,

Trigger warnings/content warnings: homophobia, major religious themes, mental disability mention, brief non-descriptive mentions of alcoholism, physical/emotional child abuse, adultery 

Gabriel was the second child born into an extremely religious family. His parents believed that having a multitude of children was simply part of the Lord’s plan for mankind. Gabriel was convinced there would have been at least twelve Lockhart children, had the fifth pregnancy not gone so awry. Their final baby was born with a severe mental disability which would require her to be cared for for her entire life. They called her “Joanna” for its meaning of “gift from God” - something that Gabriel though was particularly ironic, given how often they treated her as little more than a burden.

He’d never really been happy in his home. His father was prone to drink which would bring out his most violent tendencies. The children learned quickly to avoid him at all costs in this state. To make matters worse, Gabriel’s sense of unique self-hatred grew with vigor as he aged. He’d never been able to identify when the feelings first started, but he’d known from a very young age that there was something deep inside of him that would disappoint his family. It wasn’t until Gabriel was approaching his teenage years that he realized he harbored no attraction towards the fairer sex. He was gay, though his parents had told him it was a sin. How could it be? He’d always been good. He’d gone to church, he’d prayed. Why did he feel like this? Gabriel searched for an answer, while desperately trying to crush the feelings inside his heart.

Framed pictures of the messiah could be found in every room in his home - it was almost impossible to escape their judging gaze. Sinful as it felt he couldn’t help the thoughts running through his head. More than once he spent his afternoon in the oppressive confines of a confessional, seeking the wisdom of his church elders. Starting was the hardest - to speak those words for the first time, it seemed so final… “forgive me, father for I have sinned, I’ve been having thoughts about…other men…”

It was all Gabriel could manage, though his pastor was hardly surprised. Had he acted on these thoughts? No, of course, he hadn’t. Then they were only thoughts. A test from God, it seemed. Gabriel was fifteen, more than young enough to repent, he was told. If only he could find himself a nice young woman to the and to hold - the thoughts would vanish. Deep down, Gabriel knew that wasn’t true, but he latched onto it with the desperation of a starving child. He threw himself full force into service of the church, hoping it would keep his thoughts at bay. The process was painful and harrowing but in the end, he found a kind of solace. A peace - not with himself, but with the way he would have to live his life.

Gabriel’s dream had always been to become a historian - he adored history in a way few children did, marveling at how human nature had evolved over the years. Though as he grew closer and closer to his college years, it became increasingly clear that he would not be able to pursue his dreams. His siblings were leaving one by one, soon there would be no one left to care for Joanna, save for her parents who offered her little more than coldness. Gabriel adored her, and could not bear to see her abandoned. So he stayed, working his way towards a proper profession within the church.

It wasn’t until he was twenty-two that he finally felt safe to leave. Gabriel had urged his parents to get his sister a caregiver but they were too fearful of their less than perfect life falling upon unwelcome eyes. Eventually, a specially designed boarding school for special needs teenagers came to fruition. And if Gabriel paid her way, then she was welcome to go. Happy with his sister’s new care, and intrigued by the newly opened position in the Devinstone Church, Gabriel accepted the job with vigor. Gabriel wasn’t your typical pastor. He was much more modern - he didn’t lean heavily on scripture as his elders did, instead, preaching the emotions within the text. Gabriel was not one to turn anyone away, regardless of their beliefs or actions. His unrelenting kindness, coupled with his easy simple and unbridled pacifism made him a popular choice when it came to sermons

Shortly after moving to town, Gabriel became engaged. His pastor had been right, the right woman had come along. She didn’t quell the sinful lusts in his heart, but he cared for her and thought of her as a good friend. So he figured, she would make a good a wife as any. To this day he still doesn’t know why he chose to marry her - whether it was to try and fix himself or to simply lift suspicion as to his true sexuality. Regardless, their marriage has been far from ideal.

To the townsfolk, they seemed a perfect church-going nuclear family. Together, they had three children. Jonah, who was 8, Abigail, who was 5 and their youngest, Matthew, who had only just turned 1. The Lockharts were happy and kind. Their children, while rambunctious, were clean-cut and friendly. They were almost picturesque. But behind the scenes tensions were thin. Gabriel and his wife fought often - not the yelling and screaming he was accustomed to, but cold and calculated jabs at one another. Gabriel was under a lot of stress, considering how carefully he had to maneuver around his wife, stealing away in the dark of night to seek the affections of other men. His wife was unfaithful too, he knew. Not that he could blame her for it - after all, he’d hardly been a good husband to her. He imagined it had much the same effect. The children were truly the only thing keeping them together. Gabriel and his wife loved them so dearly and, despite their differences, tried to provide them with the best home possible. In truth, neither hated the other for their adultery, but the other always being on the defensive was the biggest instigator of drama in their relationship.

Gabriel wasn’t happy with himself. The overwhelming pressure that came with upholding his secret life was almost too much to bear. But he was happier than he’d ever been. His children were his life. He found meaning in his work in the church, and he was exploring a side of himself that had been imprisoned for so long.

+ understanding, gentle, optimistic. - naive, secretive, stubborn.

PLAYED BY: Thad.

FACE CLAIM: Callum Turner.

[nomoregoldfish]

R-rated, anyone?

[miss-ute]

Visit Original Link

Why must I meet you in a secret rendezvous? Why must we steal away to steal a kiss or two? Why must we wait to do the things we want to do? Why, oh why, oh why, oh why, oh why?

[ofhosanna]

GABRIEL LOCKHART’S TAG DUMP.

【✝】» hope seems like a summer bird || threads.

【✝】» i swear it must be heaven’s light || visuals.

【✝】» god help the outcasts || mail.

【✝】» there can be miracles || aesthetics.

【✝】» that warm & loving glow || chats.

【✝】» give a little more than you take || edits.

【✝】» a hymn for what it means to be alive || music.

【✝】» you will when you believe || tasks.