((Fic based on the anti-sides from @ask-us-sanderssides. Read their story from the beginning here and read more about how they were formed in the story here.))
A/N: So can we pretend it's still February and it's not a month later than Gabriel's birthday? Work got away from me even though I wrote this back then but I never got to post it.
Gabriel's birthday is February 15th, fyi.
It was a beautiful day for certain. Gabriel glanced up at the clear bright blue sky above him, covering his eyes so he wasn't blinded by the sun. Part of him wondered if this is what the real sun felt like. It was the anxiety talking of course. It usually did. Especially before Virgil woke up for the day when Thomas did. Gabriel knew Roman did his best to recreate the real world inside his imagination for him and the other antis. Gabriel was always very appreciative of Prince Roman. He did so much for them and didn't have to.
Gabriel readjusted the basket in his hands, glancing down and counting the herbs. He had managed to gather enough of the polyweed, but Meph had also requested some lavenderwood and some rosebud. Those were on a higher mountaintop a few miles away if Gabriel remembered correctly.
The winged anti walked back down the bush covered path and out to the open mountainside. He took a deep breath and smiled, taking off into the air gracefully. The air felt great on his face and through his wings. Gabriel wondered why Roman had chosen to go ahead and let spring start in the imagination. It was only February. Maybe it was just Roman preferred spring to winter? Gabriel wasn't sure but he loved the weather all the same. After a few extra seconds, Gabriel landed on the summit of a mountain just north of the village.
Gabriel spotted the lavenderwood from a distance and grabbed up some gently, cutting the base with a small pair of scissors.
'Don't cut the leaves, my love.' Mephisto's voice rang in his mind. 'The leaves are essential to the potion and if any of them were to be damaged then the plant is useless.'
Gabriel cut about five or six lavenderwood and placed them carefully in the wooden basket. However the rosebud would be harder to find. It grew only in the snow and only glowed red when someone was around. The rosebud was a fickle flower indeed.
After ascending the mountain an extra hundred feet or so, Gabriel spotted the flower from a distance as it poked up through the soft blanket of snow on the ground.
Snow covered the mountaintop and the chilly wind blew briskly through Gabriel's wings and hair.
"I need another jacket..." Gabriel moaned to himself as he pulled his wings in.
Gabriel bent down to the small section of rosebuds. There were four or five. Just enough for his love. He gently touched the rosebud, feeling its petals. It was smooth. Soft as silk. Gabriel carefully cut the stems just past the four or fifth leaf and placed them into his basket.
As soon as Gabriel cut the last rosebud and put it into his basket, he spread his wings and took off back down the mountainside.
Spring welcomed him with open arms and warmed his body as he flew closer to the ground. Gabriel held the basket close to himself to keep it closed as he landed just outside the city limits.
He tucked his wings in close and slid the basket up his arm for safe keeping as he began walking through the bustling town.
It was just near lunch time and so lots of people were out shopping. Merchants shouted deals left and right, some for jewelry and some for food. Gabriel only looked. He didn't have any money on him anyway.
"I wonder if there's any treats left from Nic and Meph's baking yesterday." He wondered out loud, smiling.
He couldn't believe what he had seen the day before. It had been Valentine's Day and both Mephisto and Nicolaus had taken it upon themselves to make Valentine's Day treats for Gabriel and Luctus respectively. They ended up working together and had bowls full of lots of different chocolate and sweet treats. Gabriel had snuck a peek into the kitchen, with Luctus as well, seeing Nic and Meph mixing and taste testing. Gabriel had felt a warmth in his heart in the moment. He loved his family so much. Seeing them all happy and healthy was more important than any silly holiday.
Gabriel realized that he had been gone longer than intended so he headed back towards his home with his family on the opposite side of the town, just off of the trail. As he walked up, he suddenly saw one balloon hanging from the doorknob of the house. It was green and had an arrow on it. Once Gabriel got closer he saw a note attached to the string.
"Gabriel, please bring the flowers and herbs straight to the back garden. Thank you, angel.
Gabriel's mouth turned down in confusion as he tried to open the door but it was locked. He started to walk towards the back yard only to see another balloon, this time purple, tied to the fence door which was slightly ajar. It also had an arrow pointing inside and a note.
"Gabriel, I want to thank you for helping me and always being there for me. You are so very kind.
"Arya..." Gabriel said softly, running his finger over the anti sides name.
He continued into the backyard and saw two more balloons, tied to the picnic table. One was blue and the other red. Both balloons had one arrow pointing to the house.
"Gaby! Leave the flowers and basket here. We will take care of it. I love you!!
"It's imperative that you follow the listed instructions, Gabriel. Also... thank you for always believing in me.
Gabriel put his hand to his heart, feeling tears welling up in his eyes. His family meant so much to him. Just these simple notes was so touching. But what was it for?
Gabriel placed the flowers into the separate basket and walked towards the house. He reached for the back door but before he could grab the handle, the door swung open seemingly by itself.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY GABRIEL!"
Gabriel was greeted by so many familiar faces inside, all standing around the kitchen table. Mephisto, Nic, Luctus, and Arya stood on one side and on the other stood Roman, Logan, Virgil, Patton, and even...
"...Thomas?" Gabriel asked out of pure disbelief. "How are you here?"
"I can visit the rooms from time to time." He explained with a gentle smile. "Besides, I can't miss this opportunity to see you all in your real forms." Thomas walked the short distance between he and Gabriel. "Happy birthday, Gabriel. Thanks for being there for me and for Virgil too. I don't know what we'd do without you."
Gabriel felt the tears of joy roll down his cheeks as Thomas embraced him tightly. Suddenly he was surrounded by all of his family in one big hug. Eventually they all parted and Mephisto came up to Gabriel.
"My love, I hope this celebration was okay?" He asked. Gabriel nodded. "Great!" Mephisto leaned in and kissed Gabriel's forehead. "I wanted you to know how grateful we all are for you. It's---" he looked down, biting his lip. And then back up with tears glistening in his eyes. "You, Gabriel, are the reason we are a family. You fight for each one of us and there's really no way to thank you for that. You're our constant and we love you."
Everyone behind Mephisto nodded and Gabriel smiled, trying not to cry again. "Thank you so much everyone..." Gabriel looked at all of the people in his life and felt so blessed. As he scanned the group as all of them began to talk to each other and disperse, Gabriel saw out of the window a certain snake man. Gabriel waved, smiling gently and Deceit nodded, tipping his hat. He walked away.
Luctus walked up to Gabriel, offering cake and ice cream and the angel happily obliged. He wanted to remember this moment with all of his family together. Forever and ever.