Gabriel shakes his head, giving his midsection a pat. “Had to give that up when I went native. Can’t exactly live on sugar alone anymore.” It had been an odd adjustment but all things considered? He was doing pretty good. Even stupid little things like running in the park with his dog, an afternoon nap in the sun, he explored every aspect of mortality he could.

“Handling it, huh? That doesn’t sound ominous at all.” He slides back into the booth that Dean had vacated. “So. What now? Do we talk this out or do I get yelled at for doing this without your say-so?”