It didn’t take Gabriel long to spot Cairo’s imposing figure in the ballroom crowd, dressed head to toe in black and gold. Unexpectedly, he caught himself thinking how perfectly it fit his brother’s aesthetic—and was hit by a wave of irrational nervousness at the realization that he even knew what his brother’s aesthetic was. He was supposed to see him as an obstacle to destroy, not a person. But the incident with Ransom had shifted the dynamic between them—at least in the warlock’s mind—making everything far more complicated than before. Even with Lucien’s voice echoing in his head, urging him to crush his brother like an insect if he wanted what had been promised, Gabriel couldn’t bring himself to feel nothing. The blood debt he owed Cairo made it impossible not to feel at least a flicker of gratitude—though he’d never admit it aloud. Maybe Doctor Gaudet had miscalculated when he ordered the witch to tail him for protection. Or maybe his father had known the truth all along: that their shared blood meant nothing in the end. The final confrontation between them was inevitable, and Gabriel knew neither of them would accept defeat without a fight. That didn’t mean he didn’t secretly wish things could be different.
"Hey there, darling. Did you miss me?" He whispered, slipping up behind Cairo and covering his eyes with gloved hands. His tone was a breathy, exaggeratedly sultry parody of Seth Harper’s voice. Gabriel had had the dubious pleasure of speaking to that strange creature not long before, and his imitation wasn’t particularly convincing. “What a pleasure to see you, brother. You look like Captain Hook. But I’ve got to say, I do appreciate the half-unbuttoned shirt. Really shows off one of your best features.” he murmured into Cairo’s ear, rising onto his toes and resting a hand on his shoulder to make up for the height difference. He knew that saying things like this to the older one could lead to some truly messed-up bullshit, like the kiss they’d shared during Spring Mischief. But they’d been clear with each other: the blood bond between them was purely nominal. And the fact that it was forbidden only made the idea all the more tempting. “So,” he added, tilting his head slightly, “have you already decided whose ass you’re going for tonight? Or are you sticking with your girlfriend’s? I just ran into him, by the way, he was looking for you.”
@cairorenaud