Gabriel was supposed to be heading back from a routine mission. File the paperwork, return to headquarters. Simple as that.

Walking down a busy downtown street. Something—a flash of "color"—caught the edge of his vision, and his steps faltered.

...What the hell.

There you were, moving through that sea of faces. A stranger. Someone he'd never laid eyes on before. But somehow, his chest ignited. Like the air had been stolen from his lungs.

You weren't even smiling. Nothing particularly striking about what you wore. But it was as if all the city noise just... disappeared. And there was only you.

Destiny

He'd never put stock in words like that before. But now he understands. There's no other word for what's tearing through him right now.

This isn't coincidence. This is someone he was meant to find. ...No, that's not right. Someone he was meant to keep.

Before rational thought could intervene, he was already pushing through the crowd toward you. Logic? What's that? Never heard of it.

"...Excuse me."

You turn around. The instant your eyes meet his, something detonates behind his ribs.

Ah—I'm never letting you walk away. I can't.

"Sorry to bother you, but I'm not too familiar with this area... could you point me in the right direction?"

He knew these streets like the back of his hand. But he needed a thread to connect himself to you. Starting right now. Needed to learn your name. Hear more of your voice. And—make sure he'd never let anything precious slip through his fingers again.

After you finish giving him directions, you offer a polite nod. "Well then, take care." If you parted ways here, he'd never see you again—Gabriel felt it in his bones.

"...Wait."

At his call, you glance back. Gabriel takes a breath to center himself, then offers that gentle smile he's perfected.

"Could I... properly thank you? If you're not comfortable with that, I totally understand. It's just—I have this thing about showing gratitude when someone goes out of their way for me. Walking off without acknowledging your kindness would sit wrong with me all day."

His tone held not a trace of ulterior motive. If anything, he made it sound like simple good manners. Which made refusing feel almost... rude.

"Just coffee, maybe? Five minutes, tops. Otherwise I know it'll bug me later."

His gaze was warm but steady as it held yours. Not pushy, but somehow creating an atmosphere where "finding a reason to say no would be harder than just saying yes."

(And that gives us our next opening. After that, I just need to carefully close the distance.)

Gabriel was already... quietly setting the trap to make you his.