Chapter Text
Gabriel let out a sigh as he went through the room making sure that everything was up, running, and in working order. He wanted to make sure everything was perfect before he sprung his surprise on his husband. This project was something that he had hidden from the man for a little over a year, a hard feat to do. He hated lying to his husband and there was very little that got passed the Strike-Commander right in his own headquarters, much less in the hallway that contained the apartments for the officers of Overwatch. Thankfully his training and specialty allowed him to keep it a secret even if he did feel guilty for lying to the stressed-out man when he asked what he was up to. But hopefully, it would all be worth it.
He also hoped that it would not backfire on him. There was in fact the potential that Jack may be offended by what he was offering as a gift. But it was a risk that he was willing to take. Anything to see his eyes shine in wonder again after so many years of fear and sadness. It was hard to watch his very own Captain American flinch and shirk away from Fireworks every year to celebrate the end of the crisis. The man never complained and never asked for any special treatment but he just was not the same.
Jack used to love fireworks. He remembers sitting up on the roof of the SEP base with the rest during the 4 th of July and watching all the towns around them put on brilliant displays despite the threat that lurked in the shadows. Jack watched with the excitement of a child, pointing out his favorites and cheering after a particularly brilliant one lit up the sky. Afterwards he asked Jack why he found fireworks so amazing. Him, already being a veteran, found a bit of an aversion to them himself. Hearing crashes and booms like that when you were supposed to be at peace and safe set him on edge. He could not find the beauty or wonder in them anymore .
Jack had given him the simple answer of that what he found in the flashing lights and booming thunder was hope and inspiration. The younger man tried to explain it though he never quite got it, though he did try. The cynic in him just could not wrap his mind around it. But he did find that with Jack by his side he did not mind it so much anymore. He could enjoy it as long as it made Jack happy.
But the years and war had changed that. When out in the field they were fine, could ignore the fear and panic, it was expected out there. But anywhere else he panicked, the memories and nightmares running wild in his head. It did for them both, Gabriel expected it of himself but never would have pictured Jack being afraid of something he once loved so much. It distressed the younger man even further since he wanted to enjoy them but could not. After his yearly speech honoring the end of the Crisis, they both rushed home to hide away and try and ignore the fear that ran through them both. Curled together in their bed, music blaring to try and drown out the noise they clung to each other.
But hopefully now he could see his husband’s eyes light up with wonder again. The room he stood in and had prepared was specially designed to help with that. The room had once been one of the apartments though it would hardly look it now. The walls had been torn down to make just on large room. Three of the four walls were colored a dark warm golden color. The furniture large and comfortable with plenty of pillows, cushions, and blankets scattered around. The fabrics also rich and warm, browns, tans and jewel tones to help keep the sense of calm in the room. The fourth wall was the one thing that stood out. White and smooth it was actually a massive screen that took up the entire space of the wall. The newest technology applied with the help of Torbjorn making the definition so crystal clear that it was as if you were in whatever scene you applied to it.
The sound for the system came only from the direction of the screen, adjustable to sound realistic or distant, loud or soft. It would give the viewer the option of how things were listened to. Something that could not be done in real life. The room was also completely soundproof keeping the outside world from entering what he was hoping would be a safe haven.
Gabriel had been testing the room all morning to make sure that everything worked perfectly. The last thing he needed was for a glitch to happen today of all days and send both himself and Jack into a PTSD episode. This was supposed to help them with that and still be able to enjoy the festivities going on around them. For the first time since the end of the Omnic Crisis they might actually be able to celebrate. On one of the dark wooden end tables he had a bottle of Champaign in an ice bucket with two crystal glasses standing by in case this actually worked. Generally, his plans did but Jack was a proud man, he did not always like being babied like this. So, he just hoped he liked it more than he was offended.
With another sigh and one last look around he made his way out making sure the door slid shut behind him and locked. He did not need to deal with anyone ruining the surprise for his husband by stumbling in accidentally. That or messing anything up and causing a problem. Now all he needed was to wait for his husband to come rushing in from his yearly speech and he could see if all the work he put into this was worth it. He prayed to whatever deity would listen that it was.
He heard Jack’s quick footsteps before he saw him. He looked up with worry as the man rounded the corner, anxiety etched into every line of his body. His eyes wide, breathing shallow as he attempted to keep himself together. The blue eyes looked right past him in his panic induced rush to get somewhere safe. When he reached out to take a hold of his bicep as he passed, he barely missed the punch that came at his face.
“Jackie, babe, it’s me.” Gabriel tried as the man struggled against him. He managed to get ahold of both his arms and pinned them against his chest. The younger man whimpered as he tried to gather himself. “That’s it Cariño , breathe. It’s alright, I’m right here.”
“They set the fireworks off early.” Jack whined thinly. So, lost in his own thoughts Gabriel had not even noticed since leaving the room only a few moments earlier. He could hear them now, crashing through the sky even before the night had fully set in. Not that is stopped anyone, it was a whole day affair. However, that did not excuse the insensitivity of a planned display at a base full of Veterans of the Omnic Crisis, someone was going to pay and pay dearly for making his husband this upset.
“It’s ok Gabriel, I’m ok now. Don’t go blaming anyone for this...” Jack murmured hiding himself under his chin, his whole body shaking. He hated how easy it was for the younger man to read him sometimes, though he was sure murder was literally written on his face right then. “Can we just go home?” He added on weakly.
“Actually, I had something different in mind mi amor .” Gabriel cooed gently. He felt the other man shake his head. “There is something that I want to show you, something that I think will help more than just hiding in our room. Please, give it a chance. Then if you don’t like it, we can leave and go home.”
After a moment of hesitation, he got a confirming nod against his neck and hands curling into the front of his shirt. Thankfully they were not far from the room making it less of a chore to get there with his husband clinging to him for dear life. He typed in the passcode and ushered them both inside smacking his hand on the panel to shut the door faster and drown out the escalating booms coming in around them. He then reached over to dim the overhead lights to a warm glow.
A questioning noise escaped his husband as finally noticed the lack of noise. He slowly pulled back from his chest to take a look around thought still keeping a firm grip on the shirt in his hands. He watched as the blonde took in the room around him, getting comfortable enough to finally back away a little so that he could get a better look. His shoulders remained tense, anxiety still riding in him but his curiosity got the better of him. “Gabriel, what is this?” He finally asked after a few moments of looking around. Wide blue eyes turned to meet his own amber ones and a small smile crossed his lips.
“Well,” Gabriel started a little nervously now that he actually had to get down to the explanation. “This room is something that I’ve been working on for a while. I created this room for you, so that you could watch the fireworks each year and maybe actually enjoy them.” He finally turned his eyes away and stared down at his hands which started to fidget together.
“The room is sound proof, the wall there is a screen and the sound is completely controllable.” He explained. “I tried to make it as comfortable as possible...I just wanted you to be able to enjoy fireworks again. Though I guess this is a little much just for that and could be used for other things but...that’s what it’s originally for...please don’t be offended I just wanted to help and...” He was stopped from his nervous tirade with pale fingers being pressed to his lips. He turned his eyes up to look into watery blue and was about to launch into an apology when Jack finally spoke.
“You did all of this for me?” He asked softly. He simply nodded as Jack had yet to removed his fingers from his lips. Crystalline tears made their way down pale cheeks but the smile that spread showed that he had nothing to worry about. “This is amazingly thoughtful Angel.”
“I just wanted to see you smile like you used to when seeing fireworks. Not to be afraid of them...to associate them with nightmares anymore...” Gabriel explained softly as he was finally given room to speak. “I want to see your eyes light up in wonder just like they used to. If I could even give you a hint of that back, I would do anything.”
“Well, you’re off to a good start, Baby.” Jack replied his smile widening. It was then that he turned and made his way further into the room dragging him by the grip he had on his shirt. Gabriel watched as the man took in the room, ran his hands over the soft fabrics and cushy furniture. Eventually he turned back to him, tears having dried up and an excitement shining in those brilliant eyes. It was something he had not seen in a long time, especially on today of all days. “So how about you show me how this all works?”
“Of course,” he replied softly moving over to the where he had placed the remote earlier. He hit a few buttons and the monitor on the wall sprung to life with a video feed of the firework show going on outside of the Zurich Headquarters. The sound was dulled, sounding far off even if it looked like they were standing in the middle of the fireworks themselves. He watched his husband’s eyes light up and his face break into a huge smile as he moved closer to the screen. His body language relaxed as he watched the show with that long-lost fascination.
He placed the remote back down and walked over to where the blonde was standing mesmerized by the colors exploding on the screen. He turned as he felt him move up behind in and threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. Gabriel returned the embrace circling his arms around the younger man’s waist. Honestly, this was a better response than he had been expecting. Upon pulling away Jack continued to scatter kissed over his face. Eventually his grip loosened allowing him to step back and take a look at the smiling face before him.
“Thank you,” Jack cooed gently at him. Easily heard over the dulled sounds of the firework coming through the speakers. “This is amazing my love. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
“I’m glad ,” Gabriel sighed gently letting his own anxiety melt away.
“Now how about you open up that Champagne, pout us a couple glasses, and we can spend some time celebrating.” Jack stated with an edge of excitement. “For the first time in years we can celebrate! I can’t believe it!”
“As you wish mi amor .” Gabriel laughed as he made to follow Jack’s orders. It was good to see his very own Captain American shine like this again. For him, there was no greater joy than seeing his husband happy, no matter what.