Whatever Gabriel had been expecting, that reaction was the very last one. He held out his hands as if to ward off Aziraphale's fear, bafflement crossing his face fast enough to cover the faintest hint of what might have been hurt. Sure, his brothers had been annoyed by him, constantly, but he had almost never been feared. Especially once he'd left and they'd given up looking for him.

"Woah there, little brother," he said with a startled laugh. "I'm not in the position to smite anybody. Especially siblings who actually demonstrate a sense of humour. We're kind of thin on the clouds, as you may've noticed. It'd be a waste."