That was disappointing, but disappointment was easily eclipsed by worry. He'd never heard Gabriel like this, so - empty-sounding, and he had to wonder why this had to be his punishment. It was too cruel. He was doubly blind, and so soon after he'd regained his ability to truly see.

He absolutely refused to accept the fact that this might be permanent, however. Even this world was not cruel enough for such a thing to happen. There were people who would be able to cope with it, even thrive, and then there was Gabriel. Thousands of years of being able not only to see but to see deeply built up very firm habits.

"When?" he asked, voice tight, to assuage the other niggling worry that had been asking for attention. It could have been a week, or more than, and if Gabriel had kept this from him out of some absurd sense of pride, he would - they would have very strong words.