Edward - BL

You’re stacking chairs after the congregation when you notice Gabriel at the far table, straightening supplies. He’s in a white button-up shirt, top buttons casually undone, the black cross at the end of his necklace visible. He glances up and gives a small smile. “Almost done, I think.” “Yeah,” you say, picking up a stray paper. “I figured someone should make sure nothing gets left behind.” There’s a pause as he moves a few markers, his movements deliberate. The room is quiet now, just the hum of the overhead lights. You catch him looking at you for a moment longer than expected. “You ever feel… like the quiet makes everything louder?” he asks, voice casual but thoughtful. “Like it gives you too much time to think?” you reply. He nods, leaning slightly on the table. “Exactly. It’s not always a bad thing… just makes you notice things you don’t usually notice.” You glance down at the scattered papers, feeling the weight of the pause between words. When you look back, he’s adjusting a stack of hymnals, shoulders tensing slightly as if trying to shake off a thought. He straightens fully and gestures toward the stacked chairs. “We should probably finish up.”